Divorce is difficult for all mothers. However, stay at home mothers going through a divorce face unique challenges as they are forced to figure out how to support themselves and their children financially without their ex-spouse’s income. If you are a stay at home mom going through a divorce, these tips can assist you in surviving on your own.
Create a Budget
To create a budget, start by compiling a list of all of the monthly expenses you will have once your divorce is finalized. By doing so, you’ll understand how much money you will need each month to support yourself and your children.
Search for Employment
Often times, it is necessary for stay at home moms going through a divorce to find employment. If you have been out of the workforce for years to care for your children, there are a variety of ways you can prepare for your job hunt.
You can return to school to earn a degree or certification, meet with a career coach, update and revise your resume, attend networking events, and try work from home opportunities.
Take Advantage of Assistance Programs
There are a number of different assistance programs that are designed to help single mothers. Some of these programs can help you pay for your groceries and provide yourself and your children with health insurance. It’s a good idea to apply for assistance programs and take advantage of them until you get back on your feet.
Seek Child Support and Alimony But Do Not Rely On It
Although you may seek child support and alimony from your ex-spouse, you should not rely on it to provide for you and your children for years to come. It is essential that you find a way to bring in some income by getting a full-time, part-time, or contract job.
Establish Your Own Credit
If you have stayed at home with your children for years, you likely depended on your ex-spouse’s credit ratings so that you could qualify for a mortgage, finance a vehicle, or take out a personal loan. Now that you will not be able to use his credit rating, you should make an effort to establish a positive credit rating by avoiding debt and making all of your payments on time.
Contact a DuPage County Divorce Attorney
Ending your marriage can be frightening, especially if you have been a stay at home mom for a long period of time. For guidance on custody, alimony, and your financial future, call our Hinsdale divorce attorneys today. We can be reached at 630-920-8855.
Source:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmajohnson/2014/10/27/are-you-a-stay-at-home-mom-facing-divorce-dont-expect-alimony/#42eb825667a9