Female breadwinners in Ohio may find it financially stressful to divorce their spouses. Since traditional roles have reversed with more men staying at home to care for the children and tend to the needs of the household, some women are now being required to pay alimony following a divorce. This major change in law stems from a 1979 landmark decision making alimony a gender-neutral responsibility based on the financial dynamic of the household.
According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers survey, approximately 45 percent of attorneys reported a significant increase in being responsible for alimony. In the same survey, 54 percent of lawyers saw an increase in mothers who were found to be responsible for paying child support. Decades ago, it was the norm for the man to have the higher income, which made him the primary breadwinner responsible for alimony when a divorce concluded.
When spousal support was awarded, it was usually provided indefinitely until the spouse remarried. Now, it is the position of the court that the recipient of spousal support is only eligible for an allotted amount of time. The woman or man receiving alimony is given payment long enough to get retrained for the workforce.
Some critics argue that women should look more at their career options as their financial well-being may be a factor in the event of a divorce. Others advocate preparing for divorce legal issues with prenuptial agreements by working with a divorce attorney to ensure preparedness in the event of the end of a marriage. In a divorce, an attorney may help create an equitable, creative agreement that makes sense for all parties in a high-asset divorce.