What Is A Divorce Gap?

Contrary to what most think, women who worked before, during or after getting divorced see a 20% decline in income when their marriage end. Professor Stephen Jenkins, a professor at the London School of Economic, conducted research that shows that men, on the other hand, generally see a 30% increase in their income after. Jenkins also found that the poverty rate for divorced women is triple that of divorced men.

Explanation for the Disparity

The main reason why women suffer more than men after getting a divorce is that women traditionally leave their careers to raise children. This move makes them dependent upon their husband’s income to provide for their family.
Moreover, when a couple decides to file for divorce, each spouse needs to hire their own lawyer to represent them in the process. The cost of hiring an attorney can be expensive depending on the situation. Women who have become dependent on their husband’s income may not be able to afford to hire their own lawyer. As such, they can be coerced into making unsustainable financial decisions.

Importance of Spousal Support

Divorce generally leaves these women managing their children during the process, meaning they must pay rent, bills, and provide food for the family which can all add up quickly. An experienced Central Valley divorce attorney knows that women in these situations can make their case to a judge based on their contribution to the household.

For instance, they could prove that they had certain skills but instead opted to take care of their family instead of going back to work. This could potentially increase the chances of the judge awarding a more livable amount of spousal support. Unfortunately, many women do not know this, making it even more important to hire an experienced attorney.

Mediation: A Cheaper Alternative

A cheaper alternative to litigation in a divorce is mediation. In mediation, both parties have an opportunity to sit down with a professional mediator to try to come to an agreement regarding asset division, child custody, child support and spousal support. This is a viable option if both spouses can come to an easy agreement regarding these topics.

Call an Experienced Central Valley Divorce Attorney

If you are involved in a divorce proceeding or planning to file for divorce, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced family law attorney to help you learn your legal rights and options with respect to the division of your assets.