Many residents of Louisville, Kentucky, are used to hearing about divorce cases in which the wife receives alimony from the husband. In recent years, however, this has changed. Judging by the number of female celebrities who are already providing spousal support to their ex-husbands during or following a divorce, women are no longer the only spousal support recipients.
Men and women are changing gender roles. There are females who have broken the gender gap and perform jobs that were once only done by men. Women who work as professionals, military and organization leaders are no longer unusual nowadays. In fact, a 2013 study conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that 40 percent of all mothers are also the primary breadwinner of the household.
This shift in gender roles has had a huge impact on family law issues like child custody, child support and spousal support. With the amount of time mothers are giving to their career, more fathers are acting as the primary parent. In the event of divorce, the common assumption that moms will get primary custody of the child and receive spousal support is changing. Now, when a wife earns more than her husband, there is the possibility that she will be obligated to pay spousal support. Determining the amount of spousal support is based upon the length of marriage, both spouses' incomes and the ability of the spouse to support the alimony recipient. In a situation in which a spouse gives up a career in order to support the other partner or take care of the children, the stay-at-home spouse is more likely to be awarded with alimony.
The change in societal norms and the breaking of the glass ceiling in certain industries for women has had a huge effect on alimony awards in divorce cases nationwide, including those in Kentucky. Under such circumstances, the insight of an experienced legal representative regarding these changes can make a huge difference to the financial stability of a spouse.
Source: Communities Digital News, "More women paying child support, spousal support," Myra Fleischer, May 27, 2014