Many men going through a divorce may not realize it, but if they financially relied on their spouse, or if there were income disparities, they may be able to receive spousal support. Additionally, if there are children involved, there is no reason to assume that the mother will automatically receive custody and child support, as both of these can -- and are -- awarded to fathers in Missouri and throughout the country.
Years ago the norm was for men to pay child support and alimony to their ex-wives. However, with women working their way up corporate ladders and earning higher incomes, nowadays there are many situations where the wife makes more money and financially supports the husband.
According to a recent American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers survey, 47 percent of attorneys reported seeing an increase in the number of women being ordered to pay alimony. And, with that increase, 56 percent of lawyers also reported seeing an increase in the number of women paying child support to their ex-husbands.
Of course, in many of these situations the women are not happy about having to pay alimony, but it is still something they have to do.
In Missouri, there are no set guidelines or requirements when it comes to spousal support. However, this does not mean that people cannot seek it. It just means that a compelling case needs to be made for why a person should receive it.
Because of this, if you were a stay-at-home parent, or your wife earned substantially more during the marriage, it is a good idea to have legal representation to push for why you are entitled to alimony.
Source: Reuters, "Divorce courts mirror society as more women pay alimony," Patricia Reaney, May 10, 2012
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