In Pennsylvania, some lawyers have noticed that courts are trending toward awarding alimony payments to men. A survey conducted at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers showed that 45 percent of U.S. divorce attorneys observed growing legal trends of bestowing alimony obligations on divorced women instead of men. More mothers are also accountable for making child support payments than they were in the past.
Today, more women have jobs with higher salaries, and more men have jobs paying lower salaries. It does not matter to the court whether the man had previously supported the woman during a lengthy marriage: A decision about alimony is made based on the amount of income a parent currently earns. Pew Research has indicated that mothers in today’s workforce earn higher incomes in 40 percent of American families. Although awarding alimony payments to men is still in its beginning stage, granting alimony rights to men continues to increase.
In 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled that women were not the sole recipients of alimony payments. In addition, some states no longer favor the concept associated with permanently supporting an ex-spouse. The court would rather see a spouse working and making a decent living rather than relying on alimony payments. Contemporary judges expect both women and men to work and earn acceptable wages suitable for taking care of a child.
Nevertheless, many women who are ordered to make alimony payments to their ex-spouses are not pleased with the situation. Society has traditionally favored the idea that child support is the father’s responsibility.
A woman who plans to file for divorce may want to contact a family law lawyer specializing in spousal support and alimony issues. A knowledgeable lawyer who understands the complexities attributed to interpreting divorce regulations may help create a mutually agreeable divorce settlement.
