Dear Attorneys,
I want to file for divorce, but I have been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years. My kids are now 10 and 8 years old. I’m concerned that alimony and child support may not be enough to support me and the kids. Will the Court make me go back to working outside the home?
Sincerely,
Susie SAHM
Dear Susie,
This is a common concern for many parents who have put their careers on hold to care for their children. In Connecticut, courts take a number of factors into account when determining alimony, including but not necessarily limited to, each party’s earning capacity, the length of the marriage, and contributions to the household. Being a stay-at-home parent is recognized as a contribution to the marriage/household, but the court will also consider your potential to re-enter the workforce. Child support is generally more based on each party’s income, the number of children involved and who carries health insurance. Both parties’ financial information will be put into the Connecticut Child Support Guidelines and a presumptive child support amount will be calculated. Then, either parties can choose to agree on that amount (or apply deviation criteria to reach a different agreement), or the Court will order the amount of child support, again which can either be the presumptive amount, or can take into account one or more of the deviation criteria factors.
The Court cannot force you to obtain employment, but it may impute income to you based on your skills, education, and prior work history. That means, even if you are not currently working, the Court could calculate support as if you were earning a certain income. This is especially true once children are school-aged and require less full-time, at-home care.
That said, each case is very fact-specific. In some circumstances, the Court may award rehabilitative alimony to help a spouse gain additional training, education, or work experience so that they can eventually become more financially independent.
The important thing to remember is that you do not need to navigate this process alone. Having an experienced family law attorney can help ensure that your contributions as a stay-at-home parent are valued, that your financial concerns are addressed, and that you are supported during this transition.At Wolf & Shore Law Group, we offer confidential consultations and help clients just like you navigate this process every day. Ever argue with a woman? Let Wolf & Shore Law Group go to work for you. Call us at 203.745.3151 or email us at info@wolfandshorelaw.com.
Very Truly Yours,
Wolf & Shore Law Group
*The situations represented in our Dear Attorneys column are entirely fictional and any resemblance to a specific case is unintentional. We cannot, and will not, offer legal advice to anyone who is not a client. However, if you do have questions or concerns, you should contact an attorney at your convenience.
