Divorce Lawyer Has a Warning for Stay-at-Home Spouses

Article here. Excerpt:

'New York-based Jacqueline Harounian, the managing partner of Wisselman Harounian Family Law, told Newsweek that the great American divorce, for years, has followed a predictable pattern—until now.

In previous decades, typically one spouse, usually the husband, earned the money, while the other, usually the wife, raised children and managed the home, with courts stepping in to provide long-term financial protection for the latter if the marriage ended.

That binary reality is being phased out.

"The laws are changing, the earners are going to get to keep their money, and the spouses that are dependent will get support, for a short period of time," Harounian, 56, said. "Approximately 15 years ago, New York became the last state to enact no-fault divorce laws, and since then, the laws are becoming more gender neutral. Fathers are taking a more active role in raising children, and as a result, many are seeking 50-50 custody. On the other hand, mothers are surging in career and income power."

She continued: "All while stay-at-home mothers are receiving less in spousal support, payment of their legal fees, and equitable shares of marital property, including businesses and other assets."'