How To Get Alimony In a Divorce When One Spouse Has a Stay-At-Home Parent Role

Tips For Stay-At-Home Spouses Facing Divorce To Achieve a Successful Separation

Each year, thousands of married couples file for divorce for a wide variety of reasons, whether it’s due to infidelity, financial disagreements, differences of opinion, or many other causes. A large number of couples who file for divorce have a stay-at-home parent. This can make an already challenging change even more overwhelming as this parent, usually a mother, must figure out how she will provide for her children and support herself in the next stage of their lives. 

To make this transition in your life positive for your well-being, consult with an Arizona divorce lawyer who can help you plan for a successful divorce. Here are some tips from your attorney on how to plan for a divorce when one spouse stays home:

Financial Planning The Basic Of Separation & Divorce for Spouses Facing The Early Stages In Arizona

In the early stages of separation or divorce, few spouses realize how complicated and interwoven their lives are, even if they have only been married for a relatively short time. No matter who initiates the divorce, planning is essential.

Maintain Financial Records

Maintain records of the following:

• Income
• Expenses
• Assets
• Investments
• Debts, both shared and personal
• Titles and registration documents for your home and vehicles
• Tax returns, including filings and all supporting documents
• Bank statements
• Any other documents that demonstrate your financial situation

Sharing these documents with your divorce lawyer will help your legal team better understand your financial situation, which will make it easier to go through the process as you divide assets, calculate alimony and child support, and make other financial decisions.

Develop a Financial Plan

Once your attorney has a good understanding of your financial situation they will be able to assist you in planning for the divorce process. This includes determining what you need to do after the divorce to remain financially solvent, such as getting a part-time job or going back to school for vocational training.

One frequently overlooked aspect of divorce is the personal side of how you will live once you are no longer together. This may be a more drastic change than you anticipate. Without proper planning, you may find yourself and your children in a very difficult situation.

Ask yourself the following questions as your plan for separation:

• Will I need to begin working to support myself and my children?
• If yes, how long do I have to find a job?
• How much savings would I need to live without an income source for six months?
• Can I support my children without my spouse’s income?
• Where will I live once we move apart?
• How long will it take to make this transition?

Your Arizona child support lawyer can assist you in planning for these aspects of your divorce so you won’t need to figure it out alone.

Negotiating Child Support, Alimony & Division Of Assets During Divorce Planning In Arizona

If you’ve been married for more than a decade, have children, own many assets, or owe a lot of debt, it’s probably going to take some time to finalize the details of your divorce. In this part of divorce planning, you will get into the details of your divorce with your attorney and your ex-spouse.

Learn About Child Support & Alimony

Talk with your lawyer about the options that you have as you seek alimony and child support, if they apply to your situation. Your legal team will help you understand what options you have, what restrictions alimony and child support may place on your life, and what financial plans you’ll need to put in place to fill in the gaps. In most cases, child support and alimony will not cover all of your living expenses, which means you’ll need to find another source of income.

As you go through the division of assets with your spouse in mediation, you’ll discover more details about what you’ll need to purchase and replace. This may include vehicles, furniture, and much more. Your divorce attorney will also review any existing legal agreements, such as a prenuptial agreement, to ensure that your rights are protected.

Be Patient With The Transition Divorce Timeline For Stay-At-Home Spouses In Arizona

It can take several months or years for a divorce to be finalized. Be patient during this time. The more you plan, the easier it will be to ride through the legal process and be prepared for your new life. The transition is even more difficult for children, who are likely to have many questions about the process. Your presence and stability will minimize the impact of the divorce on your children.

Get The Best Arizona Divorce Legal Advice From An Experienced Family Law Attorney

If you’re a stay-at-home spouse facing divorce in Arizona, you don’t need to face this overwhelming process alone! Get the experienced guidance, advice, and assistance you need from AZ Family Law Lawyers. We will fight for your rights and make the divorce process as simple as possible as we handle every detail of your case. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential consultation and begin planning for divorce.