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Dear Attorneys,

My wife makes a lot more money than I do. We’re going through a divorce, and partially due to her work schedule, I will have primary physical custody of our children. I’m happy that I get to spend a lot of time with them. However, I’m also worried that the vast majority of expenses will land on me. My attorney ran the child support guidelines, and the amount my wife will need to contribute just will not be sufficient to keep everything status quo. What other options do I have?

Sincerely,

Contribution Concerned Carl

Dear Carl,

That’s great that you will get to spend so much time with your kids! But yes, the financial burden can be concerning during a divorce because ultimately, you are taking the income that ran one household, and now, you and your wife will need to run two households on the same amount of money. The child support guidelines are not based specifically on how much time each parent spends with their children.  Rather, it largely takes into consideration the gross pay of each party, the number of children, tax considerations, and who provides health insurance for the minor child(ren).  If your wife will still end up with substantially more income than you after she gives you child support, you may want to consider requesting alimony. There are many factors that play into an alimony award, and your attorney can discuss those with you. It’s also important to keep in mind that you should be dividing extracurricular activities, unreimbursed medical expenses and childcare if appropriate.  You should set up a meeting with your attorney to go over the financial components and see if you and your wife can work toward an agreement.

Wolf & Shore Law Group is here to help you make your family law matters easier, not harder.  We are realistic and direct with our clients. We encourage potential clients to seek out a firm where they will feel comfortable and confident. 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.

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