
Going through a divorce involves much more than signing a few papers. For a stay-at-home parent, divorce includes emotional, legal, and financial preparation. A mother or father who stays at home typically manages the household, takes care of the kids, and completes many different day-to-day tasks. It really is a 24/7 job. As a stay-at-home parent, the end of your marriage can be extremely daunting, since you may be concerned about your ability to support yourself and your children, and you will want to understand how divorce will affect child custody and whether you will need to return to work. Therefore, it is critical to know where to begin when facing this next chapter. A skilled family law attorney can help protect your parental rights, make sure you receive your fair share of your marital property, and address other legal and financial issues that arise during the divorce process.
Tips for Surviving Divorce as a Stay-at-Home Parent
Transitioning to your post-divorce life may seem difficult, but by setting goals and making the proper preparations, you can ensure that your family is prepared for success. Here are a few pointers to follow during the divorce process:
- Hire a divorce attorney. As a stay-at-home parent, you will need to ensure that your rights are protected and that you will have the resources to meet your needs following your divorce. By working with a divorce lawyer, you can be sure that you will have a legal advocate on your side who can help you achieve an outcome that will allow you to succeed once your divorce is complete.
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Keep your children in the loop. Although there is never a good time to tell your kids that you and your spouse are getting a divorce, they deserve to know. Be sure to comfort your children during this uncertain time, and offer plenty of reassuring affirmations, letting them know you will always be there for them.
- Have your assets appraised. Understanding the value of the assets you and your spouse own can ensure that you receive a fair and equitable share of your marital property during your divorce. You will also need to be sure you understand the consequences that may come with keeping certain property. For example, even if you would prefer to continue living in your marital home, you may not be able to afford the mortgage payments, utilities, property taxes, and costs related to maintenance and upkeep. You may be able to save money by downsizing to a smaller home, and if necessary, you may be able to sell other property to gain the money necessary to meet your family’s needs.
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Consider returning to work. If you stayed home to raise your children rather than working during your marriage, you may be able to receive spousal maintenance that will ensure that you can continue living at the standard you enjoyed while you were married. If you will have the majority of the parenting time with your children, you will likely also receive child support. However, financial support from your former spouse will not last forever, and you will likely need to return to the workforce at some point. Even if your parenting duties do not allow you to return to full-time work, you may have other options for earning an income and building financial security for your family. For example, you can look at whether your schedule will allow you to obtain a part-time job, or you could start a side business that will allow you to earn an income while working at home.
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Build your resume. If you do decide to seek employment, but you have been a stay-at-home parent for several years, returning to the workforce can be intimidating. It is important to get yourself organized and prepare for re-entering the working world when the time comes to take that step. If necessary, employment services can help you build a resume and advise you on interviewing techniques.
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Create a budget. A household budget will provide you with an understanding of how you can use the support you receive or the income you earn to meet your current and future expenses. By doing so, you will be able to avoid overspending in unnecessary areas, and you can maintain a lifestyle you know you can afford.
Contact a Warrenville Divorce Lawyer
If you are a stay-at-home parent who is facing divorce, you may be concerned about your ability to provide for yourself and your children going forward. That is why it is essential that you explore your options with a legal professional. Contact a skilled Kane County divorce attorney from the Law Office of Christina Martell. Chrissie will work diligently to protect your rights while helping you achieve an outcome that will meet your ongoing needs. Call our office today at 630-717-2772 to schedule your consultation. Our consultations are $100, which will be credited toward your bill upon hiring our firm.
Source:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3800000&SeqEnd=5300000