A 2016 Harvard study published in the American Sociological Review revealed that men who are not employed have a much greater risk of experience failure in their marriage as opposed to men who have jobs. Among men who were terminated from their positions, there is a 32% higher rate of divorce as compared to men who are employed full time.
It remains uncertain how stay-at-home fathers factor (or do not factor) into this statistic, and the study stated that more research was necessary. The study, however, examined 6,300 married couples between the years of 1968 to 2013. The study also revealed that among couples who married prior to 1975, the risk of divorce was greater when women did a smaller amount of housework.
Divorce is Different When You are Unemployed
One of the best ways to approach a job loss shortly before or during a divorce is to realize that honesty helps. Courts often want to know the reason why a person is suddenly unemployed and whether the job loss was a result of circumstances beyond a person’s control or whether the termination was for cause.
Provided that the termination was beyond your control, you will likely be able to create a strong argument that you should not be held to the income level you enjoyed prior to your job loss.
Similarly, it is important for both spouses to be reasonable about what is achievable (as well as not achievable) regarding finances. During this time, it is important to remember that courts have the ability to create unique strategies to handle the various financial challenges that arise.
Helpful Tips to Follow if You Lost Your Job
If you lost your job shortly before or during a divorce, it helps to follow some important tips which include:
- Taking steps to obtain new employment
- Retaining records about your efforts to find a new position
- Focusing on obtaining a position with a similar salary
If Your Spouse Lost a Job
Having a spouse who loses his or her position following a divorce can also result in a number of serious challenges. Some pieces of advice to consider during this time include:
- Remaining realistic and reasonable about your former spouse’s financial situation
- Retaining any necessary details about the severance package that your spouse will receive
- If applicable, raising the possibility with your attorney that your former spouse has created the job loss in an effort to avoid having to pay more. Rather than investigate these details on your own, an attorney can help.
Speak with an Experienced Divorce Lawyer
Divorce is a stressful time. Unfortunately, job loss by either former spouse can often make this process much more difficult. If you have questions or concerns about navigating the divorce process, you should not hesitate to speak with a knowledgeable divorce attorney.
At Vayman & Teitelbaum P.C., we have helped a number of people successfully navigate the challenges that can arise during the divorce process. Contact our law office today to schedule a case evaluation.
