For homemakers who do not work outside of the house and face divorce, understanding the ins and outs of things like alimony/spousal support is key. When you’re the one in charge of your household, making sure that bills get paid, the kids get fed and that the quality of life in your home is maintained is essential. Here are three tips for homemakers to keep the household running during a divorce.
1. Seek a Temporary Alimony Order
Many people who are going through a divorce are misinformed about when they can receive a spousal support payment, with the majority under the impression that they cannot get a spousal support order until after the divorce. However, they may be able to get a temporary order for spousal support so they receive support throughout the course of the divorce proceedings. At the conclusion of your divorce, the temporary order will be dissolved, and a separate maintenance order will be put in place. You can file a motion and declaration for a temporary order with the court – an attorney can assist you in doing so.
2. Use Credit Cards If You Must
If your spouse opened a new account of his or her own and began depositing funds into it instead of your joint marital account, you may have no choice but to use credit cards to meet the household's needs. This possibility is the perfect reason to seek a temporary order for spousal support. And running a credit card debt to support the household during divorce if your spouse has cut you off should not affect property division or alimony.
3. Borrow from Friends and Family as a Last Resort
If you absolutely must, consider borrowing from friends or family as a last resort. While borrowing from friends or family can be embarrassing or emotional, it can ensure that you and your children continue to have access to food, electricity, medical care and more. If your child attends private school or receives private lessons, it also can help him or her to be able to continue those lessons. During a divorce, keeping things as normal as possible within the household can be important for a child’s psychological wellbeing.
How a Divorce and Family Law Attorney Can Help
Understanding the ins and outs of divorce proceedings can be difficult to do on your own. If you’re a financially dependent spouse who is worried about your economic wellbeing while a divorce is pending, call the attorneys at the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny today or fill out our online contact form. We’ll get started today on advocating for you. Reach us now at 425-460-0550.
