How Can a Stay-at-Home Spouse Move Forward After an Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on October 15, 2019 in Illinois Divorce

A marriage is a partnership that requires a give-and-take mentality. Going into a marriage, a couple may decide to designate one person as the “breadwinner” and the other as a ”stay-at-home” spouse. Children, financial status, skill sets, and personal preferences can all factor into the decisions that are made. If a divorce were to take place, a stay-at-home partner may feel that he or she is at a disadvantage, having already given up a significant amount of time in the workforce to focus on life at home. If you are a homemaker that is going through a dissolution of marriage, speaking to a knowledgeable attorney could better prepare you for life after divorce.   

Securing Financial Stability

Transitioning to a life away from your spouse can result in increased amounts of stress. Not being able to pay bills, find a place to live, or being able to purchase everyday necessities can all be results for a spouse that is coming out of a divorce. Prior agreements or mediation can resolve topics such as alimony, also known as spousal maintenance, property division, and child support. If an agreement cannot be made by the divorcing couple however, the presiding judge will make a final ruling

When determining whether or not to grant alimony, the court may consider the following factors:

• The income and property of each spouse
• The needs of each individual
• The current and likely future earning capacities of each spouse
• Any impairments to present or future earning capacities of each spouse
• The required time each member would need to obtain appropriate education or training for employment
• The standard of living during the marriage
• The length of the marriage
• The age, health, occupation, source of income, vocational skills, employability, and liabilities of each member
• All sources of public and private income
• Tax consequences to each member
• Any other factor that the court may find relevant 

Taking Care of Yourself

Once a divorce has concluded and the financial disputes have been settled, it might be best for some individuals to focus on rebuilding themselves. A divorce can provide a fresh start, granting each individual the possibility of a do-over. Before rushing back into the world, there are a couple of helpful tips that could change your perspective moving forward:

• Process your pain.
• Do not change who you are.
• Look at situations from a different perspective.
• Try new things.
• Refuse to settle.
• Adapt to change.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that your previous relationship does not define who you are. Being a homemaker in your past does not mean that you will be one in your future. Successfully coming out of a divorce can provide a stay-at-home spouse with the financial means required to change his or her future

Contact a St. Charles Divorce Attorney

A divorce can seem like an unfair scenario for many stay-at-home spouses. With a gap in your work history coinciding with a possible learning curve in your desired field of work, panic and fear may begin to resonate. At Weiler & Associates, Inc., our attorneys regularly handle divorce cases involving a spouse member without an occupation. Our dedicated Kane County divorce lawyers will work with you to protect your financial future. Call our office at 630-331-9110 to schedule an initial consultation.  

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050k504.htm

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/14-tips-for-reinventing-yourself-after-divorce