Un-Divorce?

mom2collegekids
Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:39:29 +0000

if one spouse has worked outside the home and the other has been at home for decades. The working spouse would have to continue to support the SAHS…forever? Even if not court-ordered, a compassionate spouse would not want the former SAHS to have to support herself on what she could make after being out of the workforce for decades.

I know someone in this situation. The H sought the divorce and said that he knew that his SAHS would need strong financial support forever since she was in her 50s and had always been a homemaker (which is what HE wanted). However, as the divorce proceeded, and the numbers were in “black and white,” he realized that he really couldn’t afford to be so “generous” and still have the single lifestyle that was his goal (dating, fun, nice home, etc), so now he’s “pulling back” and offering very little support.

The truth is that few households (even the dual earners) earn enough to support two separate households without one spouse (often the woman) taking a terrible hit in standard of living.