Stay-At-Home Parents and Wisconsin Divorce

 Posted on August 27, 2024 in Divorce

For many families, having one parent stay at home instead of leaving every day for work is a necessity. It can sometimes be a full-time job being responsible for maintaining a home and caring for the children, especially if they have busy schedules packed with after-school activities or special medical needs. When both parents have demanding jobs, it can feel impossible to take care of everything the family needs.

It might be a logical arrangement for some, but it can be stressful for a stay-at-home parent to consider divorce if the couple is no longer happy together. Not earning an independent income can make you feel like you have no money of your own. Spending several years out of the workforce can make you think you are a less attractive candidate for jobs when you are ready to work again. You might worry about how you would maintain your and your children’s lifestyle after a divorce. Luckily, Wisconsin courts recognize the important contribution of stay-at-home parents and consider it when making decisions about spousal maintenance. If you are a stay-at-home parent nervous about the financial impact of divorce, speak with a skilled Oconomowoc, WI family law attorney to review your options.

How Spousal Maintenance Is Determined for a Stay-At-Home Parent

Spousal maintenance, commonly known as alimony, is a type of financial support that one spouse pays another after divorce. The purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse be financially self-sufficient. Wisconsin courts consider many factors when determining how much spousal maintenance the higher-earning spouse needs to pay. Two components that can particularly help stay-at-home parents are:

• Contribution to other spouse’s career: If you took over most of the child-raising and household responsibilities to enable your spouse to pursue a career, this will affect the amount of spousal support you might be awarded. Whether your time at home made it possible for your spouse to get a degree, complete an internship, or take on a demanding role, your contribution is undeniable.
• Loss of earning power: When you are out of the workforce for many years, you are not enriching your work-related experience. You will not have the most up-to-date knowledge of innovations in your field, and your relevant education and training may no longer be valid when you need to find a job. Wisconsin courts generally factor in your lower earning capacity when awarding spousal support.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Waukesha County, WI Divorce Lawyer

If you are a stay-at-home parent feeling overwhelmed by the idea of financial stability after divorce, speak with a qualified Pewaukee, WI spousal maintenance attorney to find out how you can protect your interests. At Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP, we are dedicated to helping families get the best outcome so they can move on to the next chapter. Call us at 262-232-6699 to schedule a free consultation.