You may have already heard the differing opinions: Alimony is an outdated concept. Spousal support unfairly penalizes the ex-spouse who pays. Alimony is still necessary for the spouse who was a stay-at-home parent. Your own situation may directly influence your opinion on this controversial topic. You and other Missouri residents may be interested in learning about spousal support after your divorce.
Many people believe alimony is as antiquated a concept as women staying home to take care of their households while men make the sole income. As you may know, in many families today, both spouses work outside the home and contribute toward the household income. However, there are a few situations in which it may be difficult for the lesser-earning spouse to make ends meet after a divorce, such as the following:
- One parent staying home full time to take care of the children and the home
- One spouse only working part-time or making significantly less money than the other spouse
- One spouse having fewer job options because he or she supported the other spouse while he or she got an education and built a career early in the marriage
As FindLaw explains, it is often necessary for some spouses after a divorce to receive financial assistance from the higher-earning spouse while he or she completes an education, brushes up on job skills or finishes raising the children. Additionally, a disability or age may restrict one spouse’s ability to work, making permanent assistance necessary. Since this topic can be complex, you should understand that this information is not meant to replace the advice of a lawyer.
