Divorce Tips for Stay-at-Home Moms in Joliet

 Posted on March 02, 2023 in Divorce

When mothers choose to stay home to raise children, they typically rely on their spouse's income to make ends meet. Mothers who do not work outside the home, work limited hours, or volunteer are often put in a precarious situation during divorce. However, with the right planning, support, and legal guidance, divorcing stay-at-home moms can make a successful transition while protecting their financial interests.

Get Familiar with Your Financial Situation

For many stay-at-home mothers, the household and family responsibilities are divided. The mom focuses on taking care of the children while her spouse takes care of other responsibilities, such as paying bills and managing money. Before filing for divorce, it is important for a stay-at-home mother to familiarize herself with the family's financial situation. Developing an understanding of both assets and liabilities will help give her a clearer view of her financial future after the divorce is finalized.

Know Your Options for Temporary Support

If you have little to no income, you may understandably worry about how to pay for living expenses, child-related costs, and day-to-day expenditures. Fortunately, stay-at-home moms in Joliet have options for temporary financial support, including spousal maintenance and child support payments while the divorce is pending. Spousal maintenance can help cover a spouse's living expenses during the divorce proceedings, while child support payments are intended to cover the costs associated with raising the children. An experienced Joliet divorce attorney can help you understand your rights and seek a favorable outcome regarding both spousal maintenance and child support.

Start Working on a Parenting Plan

A parenting plan or parenting agreement is a document detailing how parenting time and parental responsibilities will be shared between two divorcing parents. The parenting plan also includes information about the transportation of the children between the homes, communication between the parents and the children, and how to handle future revisions to the parenting plan. Developing a comprehensive parenting plan that works for both parties is essential to ensuring an orderly transition for the children after divorce.

Talk to the Children About What to Expect

Telling the children about the impending divorce will likely be one of the hardest parts of the entire process. It is important to plan what you will say and how you will say it before having the conversation. As part of that discussion, explain to your children what changes they can expect and work on developing a plan for coping with those changes. Be sure to listen carefully to your children's concerns, answer questions honestly, and keep communication lines open throughout the process. Reassure your children that they are loved and that you will do everything possible to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Contact an Experienced Joliet Divorce Attorney

The divorce process can be complicated, especially for stay-at-home moms. Our knowledgeable Plainfield divorce lawyers are here to help. Call Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C. at 815-666-1285 to learn more about how we can assist you during your divorce. We offer free, no-obligation consultations.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=075000050K602.10