Alimony awards are no longer just for women after a divorce in Pasadena. The most recent U.S. Census records indicate that only 3% of people receiving spousal support are men. However, a survey of members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 47% have noticed an increase in the number of women who were ordered to pay alimony to their former husbands. This is most likely due to the fact that more women are choosing to remain employed throughout their marriages and getting the education they need to obtain higher earning jobs. Women now earn the majority of college degrees in the United States and only 25% of married couples have the husband as the single wage earner.
Gender bias is not legally allowed in determining spousal support awards. However, men seeking alimony often have a mental barrier to overcome. Many attorneys report that their male clients seeking spousal support are much more likely to drop the request or to accept a lump sum payment instead of ongoing alimony. The men say they feel guilty or embarrassed about accepting help.
If you're a man seeking alimony, remember that the divorce process is primarily a business transaction. It's not about what you may or may not have done wrong or a personal reflection on your status as a man. California's laws are designed to ensure that each spouse gets a fair settlement.
You must also get over the notion that alimony is only for spouses who stayed at home full time during the marriage. You may have a strong case for alimony if you took a lower paying position to have the flexibility to care for your children and to tend to daily household tasks so your wife could focus on her career. Spousal support payments will allow you the cushion you need to establish yourself in a single-earner household, especially if you plan to seek out a higher paying position.
How Can We Help?
If you are in need of legal representation during your divorce, please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com. Our skilled Pasadena divorce lawyers can help you with issues related to requests for alimony, as well as concerns over the state's community property laws and the division of marital assets.