Compared to previous generations, Illinois woman of today are more likely to be ordered to pay child support and alimony after a divorce. According to a study by Pew Research, women are the breadwinners in around 40 percent of families. In a survey by the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers, 54 percent of attorneys said that more women were paying child support now compared to three years ago.
While both men and women may resist the idea of being required to pay alimony, women tend to be less prepared for the possibility simply because they may not have been raised with the same expectations. They may also have to pay alimony after leaving marriages that were emotionally, physically or verbally abusive.
The idea behind alimony is changing as well. In the past, it was often used to support stay-at-home mothers or other spouses who had low incomes for an indefinite amount of time or permanently. Today, it is more common for alimony to be a temporary series of payments that last while the recipient is training to enter the workforce and support themselves.
People who are worried about paying or receiving alimony or child support payments might want to consult legal counsel. The couple may have property, such as bank accounts, retirement accounts, a home and investments, that must be divided. How this property is divided might also have an impact on whether one spouse pays alimony to the other. A lawyer could help make sure the division process is completed in a fair manner.
