Men Negotiating Spousal Support (Alimony)

Table of Contents

Related Posts

According to Forbes magazine, more than 400,000 people in the United States receive alimony after a divorce. Only 3% of these recipients are men.

The 2014 article focuses on a reality that many may not realize or want to accept: gender stereotypes and sexism often prevent husbands from receiving fair spousal support awards after a divorce, even in cases where a husband has put his career on hold to support his wife’s career success.

The Rise of Female Breadwinners

Over 40% of U.S. households have women at the helm as the key wage earner and overall breadwinner. It’s logical to expect that a female higher-income earner—like her male counterpart—would be compelled to pay alimony every month to her ex.

Stigma Surrounding Men Asking for Alimony

The Forbes article suggests that some men may feel emasculated at the mere idea of asking for alimony. Common concerns include the fear of being seen as lazy or a “loser,” leading others to wonder why they didn’t get a better job once they split from their wives.

Many lawyers agree that few men enter an attorney’s office with the intent of seeking alimony, even when their situations clearly qualify. On the other hand, female breadwinners often engage in contentious battles before agreeing to pay alimony. As one lawyer put it, “Every guy in that situation has to go through a fight, while [breadwinning] guys go into the divorce accepting they have to pay…Men are essentially shamed into not receiving alimony.”

Equal Rights to Alimony

Man or woman, if a divorce leaves one spouse with little income and the other with sufficient income to contribute support, a court should award support. However, it will likely be a fight. A male homemaker has just as much of a right to alimony as a female in the same role. Spousal support is often awarded to a homemaker or lower-income earner who has put their career on hold for the benefit of the family and the higher-income spouse.

Conclusion

No circumstance is the same. Hire a lawyer with an understanding of men’s spousal support rights before you head to court.

The experienced family law attorneys at the DiPietro Family Law Group have decades of experience handling all types of family law matters and are here to help you.

Contact one of the DiPietro family law attorneys today to schedule a consultation with a caring professional at (888) 530-4374.

Other Posts in: