In Part One of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC’s series on whether you will need to get a job after your divorce if you didn’t have one before, we covered topics such as community property division and spousal support. In this installment, we will focus on negotiating temporary spousal support and how your life may change during the divorce process. We will also explore factors that could influence your future job prospects once the divorce is finalized.
What Will My Life Be Like During the Divorce Itself?
Naturally, you focus on the beginning part of your divorce because it takes a lot of nerve to file after contemplating it for a long time. Looking ahead to the conclusion of your divorce makes sense, too, because you are probably anxious to begin your new life and to put all the unpleasantness of your divorce behind you.
With that said, understanding what life is like during the divorce itself is also critical. If you are dependent on your spouse for income, then you probably have some degree of concern over your ability to do things like pay bills and buy groceries for yourself and your children while the divorce is pending. Suppose that your spouse was to stop providing you money during the divorce. What would happen to you and your family?
If you are dependent on your spouse’s income, it is probably wise to begin thinking about how you will get by after filing for divorce. Will you need to hire an attorney? Will you need to save money on the side for living expenses like rent payments and school supplies? If so, getting a job may be something that becomes a necessity for you.
Negotiating Temporary Spousal Support
The key for you is to evaluate the sort of relationship that you and your spouse have. Suppose you believe that relationship to be cordial and your divorce to be mutual. In that case, it may be possible for your attorney and your spouse to work out some amount of temporary spousal support for the duration of the divorce. This will help accomplish a few things for you.
First and foremost, it helps you continue paying bills like your mortgage and utilities, so your children’s lives remain stable despite the divorce. The last thing you want is for your children to come home to a house with no running water or lights that don’t work because their dad or mom is stubborn and resentful.
Secondly, spousal support can allow you to buy some time to not only complete your divorce without falling deep into debt, but it will allow you time to look for work if that is what your circumstances dictate to be necessary. Most divorces do not (thankfully) last long enough for you to go back to school or earn some vocational certificate for a particular job. However, if you need additional training or education, you can determine that during the divorce to be better prepared once it is finalized.
The Big Question: What About Finding a Job?
We’ve now gone through the major areas of your divorce that will provide sufficient cause for either to or not getting a job during and after a divorce if you are currently not working. The quick answer (and one that lawyers love to give) is that it depends on your circumstances whether or not you will ultimately have to get a job due to your divorce. Nobody can force you to, but you will need to honestly evaluate your life based on the factors we’ve listed to determine if you can make it (and, more importantly, if you and your family can make it) without earning an income.
Judges in Texas have it within their power to order your spouse to pay you spousal support- we’ve already touched on that. We haven’t connected that judges are not fans of awarding support in most scenarios and certainly will not look for reasons to award it to you. If your situation demands it, the judge will award spousal support. If there is a way to avoid it, you may not receive any spousal support.
How Will a Judge Evaluate Your Ability to Find Work?
A judge will likely want information about your past work to determine what sort of work you are capable of, if any, in the future. What variety of transferable skills do you have from your prior career? Are those skills transferable to many different jobs, or do they apply to a specific field? Does that education allow for direct entry into skilled work? Or will you need some additional or supplemental training to get a specific job in your field of work? These are the sorts of considerations a judge will make when weighing the possibilities of awarding spousal support.
Even if you have been married to your spouse for a long time (say, more than twenty years) and lack skills and on-the-job training, do not assume the judge will award you spousal support after the divorce. Your spouse will present evidence and will likely mount a defense against your claim for this award.
In conclusion, negotiating temporary spousal support can play a critical role in helping you maintain financial stability during the divorce process. By understanding your needs and working with legal professionals to ensure fair support, you can navigate this challenging period with greater ease. While temporary support does not determine long-term financial outcomes, it provides crucial assistance as you transition into your post-divorce life. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you secure the best possible arrangement for your circumstances.
Spousal Support and Post Divorce-Life Questions Have You Concerned? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, Pllc
If you have questions about what your life may look like during and after a divorce case, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, today. One of our licensed family law attorneys will gladly meet with you and answer your questions at no charge.
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Other Related Articles:
- Can Alimony Be Modified in Texas? Everything You Need to Know About Spousal Support Adjustments
- How Long Do I Have To Pay Spousal Support?
- Does Texas Have Spousal Support in Divorce?
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Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring Divorce Lawyers
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s essential to speak with one of our Spring, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.
Our divorce lawyers in Spring, TX, are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form.
