Dealing with Divorce as a Man

Divorce for men can mean paying spousal support, child support or other continued legal obligations that endure long beyond the marriage dissolution. Because of traditional roles in society, it can be difficult for men to achieve a fair settlement in divorce. The court will consider the circumstances of both parties before agreeing to a settlement, but too often men end up footing the bills long after divorce.

Men and Child Custody

Even though society has moved toward a model where women work outside of the home often and men play larger roles in child rearing, some courts still favor women when it comes to child custody. The law doesn't allow for this and not all courts have this bias, but it is an underlying reality that men face when it comes to parental rights. There are things men can do to assist with gaining child custody, including:

• Treat your ex with respect and try to remain amicable;
• Asking your ex to allow you to remain involved;
• Asking what you can do to make the child custody arrangement work for both of you; and
• If your ex is not cooperative, you can ask the court to give you custody (partially or in full).

Men and Child Support

If you had children with your spouse and your spouse has custody at least part of the time, there is a chance that you will be responsible to pay child support until your child is an adult. You may be required to pay child support even if you take your children half of the time.

Men and Spousal Support

If you are a man that makes a greater income than your spouse, you may be left with spousal support payments after divorce. While state laws regarding divorce vary, the following are important factors in determining spousal support awards:

• Length of the marriage - the longer the marriage, the more likely spousal support will be awarded;
• Disparity between incomes - if you make significantly more money than your wife, you are much more likely to pay spousal and child support; and
• In some states marital fault is taken into consideration, but not in all states.

Getting Legal Advice

If you are facing divorce, an attorney can help you fight for your rights, including child custody. An attorney can also help you mitigate future costs associated with child support and spousal support by advising you of your best options and the law in your state. You will be better equipped to handle the difficult process with an attorney at your service.