Many couples with children agree to save on daycare costs by having one parent stay at home with the kids while the other works outside of the home to support the family financially.
If you are a stay-at-home parent going through a divorce, you may have some special considerations about your finances after your divorce is finalized. It won’t be easy to support yourself in anything close to the standard of living you enjoyed during the marriage.
Family courts are aware that it may be difficult to re-enter the workforce after years spent away. That is why courts will often award alimony to newly single stay-at-home parents who need financial support on a temporary or permanent basis.
What types of alimony are available?
Alimony payments are typically made each month by a higher-earning spouse to help support a lesser-earning spouse. There are several types of alimony available to New Jersey residents who need support during and after their divorce, including:
- Temporary/alimony pendente lite: Only lasts for the duration of the divorce proceedings.
- Limited duration: Awarded temporarily until the court determines the receiver can financially take care of themselves.
- Open durational: Generally only awarded to those in marriages that lasted at least 20 years. There is no set end date but will presumably end when the receiver reaches full retirement age.
- Rehabilitative: Intended to support a receiver spouse until they get the education or training needed to re-enter the workforce.
- Reimbursement: Covers any financial contributions from one spouse to the other.
If you were a stay-at-home parent during your marriage and need alimony to get back on your feet after your divorce, you should consider consulting with a family law attorney.
Your attorney can represent your best interests throughout the divorce and make sure you get the support you need.
