As spouses, you supported each other, in emotional matters and perhaps even entrepreneurial endeavors. In fact, you may have provided a significant amount of support if you took care of the children, the home or even contributed funds as your spouse pursued their dreams.
After all that time and effort, you now face a divorce. What are your options?
Getting support for providing support
You know that maintaining a home is just as much work as any job – perhaps even more challenging and exhausting. North Carolina law does not overlook that. In fact, the support you provide to a spouse is a factor considered in a claim for alimony. Of course, there are many other factors to consider if pursuing an alimony claim, but your labor and support can be a considerable one, especially if it contributed to your ex-spouse’s education, success or increased earning ability.
It is possible the support you provided came in various forms, including but not limited to:
- Helping to pay an ex-spouse’s tuition or business loans
- Taking on more parenting duties and roles
- Contributing to more home maintenance or homemaking
Your spouse may not have been able to achieve the success they did, if it were not for the emotional, financial or homemaking support described above. After all, they were able to focus on their particular education or career goals because of the labor you took on in the home.
Moreover, in these cases, a divorce might leave you with a sudden – and perhaps drastic – change in financial circumstances. Alimony could provide you with the support you need as you adjust.
It will help to document precisely how you supported your spouse if you pursue alimony. Seeking support for the support you offered is a fair step to take as you separate your combined lives after ending the marriage.