It can be frustrating when your estranged spouse tries to act like you don’t deserve your fair share of your marital assets. It can be annoying to see them act like you didn’t pull your own weight or that you were just relying on their income.
You stayed at home to care for your children. You had a lucrative career, but you gave it up after supporting your spouse through college. Their career is great now, but it was once you who supported your family. Today, you are in shock at how they’re treating you, all because you’re asking them to support you as you get back into your field.
Spousal support is there to help you as you transition following divorce
Spousal support is a good tool for helping a nonworking spouse get back into their career following a divorce. Perhaps your budget is minimal without that support, which would make it hard to get an apartment or support yourself. Maybe, with this support, you can live normally for the next few years as you build your career back up.
It’s fair to ask a higher-earning spouse to help as you get back on your feet, especially if you did the same for them in the past. Spousal support isn’t usually permanent, but it can be used to help you temporarily. For example, if you’ve been married for 10 years, it wouldn’t be unusual to ask for five years of support.
If you’re interested in getting more support following your divorce, your attorney will work with you to try to negotiate fair spousal support. If your ex-spouse refuses to negotiate, then a judge can decide.
