Spousal Support – What comes next for a declining marriage?
Spousal Support: Marriage is a beautiful bond two people share. It intertwines two families and aims to start a new one for themselves. People exchange vows during their weddings and promise to stay together till death do them part. However, that is mostly not the case anymore. Divorce rates are at an all-time high, and there are many reasons why. It is not necessarily the wrong thing to do. Everyone deserves mental peace. And if it can only be achieved by parting ways with your spouse, so be it. If you’re in Texas and feel like your marriage is in deep waters, you should start looking up spousal support Oakville or Houston, depending on your locality.
But why do marriages fail?
There are numerous reasons why there is a falling out between married couples. It might be either one’s fault. But, both of them can also be equally guilty. In some cases, neither of them is at fault, and it is just nature at work. Here are some fundamental reasons why couples disband and move on towards separation or divorce.
Losing the spark
It is one of the common reasons one spouse gives to the other. You can not pinpoint the exact cause, but it is most likely losing the feeling of attraction.
Extra-marital affair
When one of the spouses is disloyal, it directly impacts the marriage. For example, the cheating spouse becomes secretive, can’t take the time, or can’t even get intimate with their partner. Therefore, leading to difficulties in marriage and ultimately causes a divorce.
No special treatment after marriage
It is vip escort another big complaint that results in this marital falling out. Either spouse loses interest after the marriage, and there is a drastic change in their treatment. It does not go easy with the other spouse, which results in everyday arguments and tussling.
How to resolve these issues before moving to divorce
In this world filled to the brim with negativity, it won’t be a bad idea to contribute your share of positivity. If you feel like your marriage might end belly-up, you can take some measures to undo the damage. There are some ways you can reverse things before it gets to divorce. Keep in mind that divorce is not easy. There are many complications with it, for instance, division of assets, child custody, child or spousal support, etc. It’s best to make amends before things get any worse.
Involve your spouse and hear them out
Do not forget that marriage is a legal relationship. You owe that person, and that person owes you. Most of all, you have to be sensible and mature about your problems too. One way to resolve your issues is to have a heartfelt one-on-one conversation with your partner. Hear their side, be considerate and try igniting the spark back up that led to the two of you agree to marry.
Seek help through a marriage counselor
There is no shame in seeking help from a marriage counselor or therapist. If you feel insecure about revealing your issues, then consider that these social workers have to maintain patient privacy at all costs. You can opt for couples therapy to help you with your marital issues. It also revives your lost bond with your significant other.
Take a vacation
If you think your marriage is going through a rough patch, it is best to pack your bags, book a ticket and leave for vacation. Sometimes, it is just the workload and stress messing up your personal life, so it is best to treat yourself and your family with a vacation or a road trip.
Divorce/separation is the only option left.
If you have tried everything and nothing seems to help you fix your marriage. You might have to move towards divorce or separation. It is suitable if it is a mutual decision and not just one of the spouses dropping the bomb on their unsuspecting partner.
If you are moving towards divorce, you will have to consider the following things.
Division of assets
First and foremost, the couple must decide how to divide their assets. It is best if they discuss it in the presence of their lawyers. These assets include financial and physical assets both. Things get worse during the division of monetary assets, so ensure you have a competent lawyer or a mediator present who can ensure no foul play.
Child custody
No parent wants to give up custody without a fight. So, mostly the court decides which parent will get the child’s or children’s custody. The court makes its decision based on numerous factors, including:
- Which parent spent the most time with the kids
- Which parent sacrificed more, either career-wise or ambitions-wise.
- Which parent does the child choose?
Child support
If you lose child custody, you might have to pay child support. It is similar to spousal support, but it is solely for the child’s well-being. There is no fixed amount for everyone, so the court also decides its exact sum. However, the Obligor can determine if they want to pay it in a lump sum or monthly or yearly installments. The court decides the support payment based on some factors, including:
- How much the Obligor earns
- The pay-scale difference between both parents
- The child’s necessities include school tuition fees, groceries, clothing, etc.
- If the child is special and needs extra care, the support sum can increase because of additional expenses of doctor’s visits, medications, caretaker, etc.
- As the support money is directly proportional to how much the Obligor earns, there is a cap on how much he or she has to pay. It ensures that the Obligee doesn’t use the money for personal use.
Spousal support
Spousal support is the money the Obligor has to pay their ex-partner. It is to compensate for their loss due to the divorce. Spousal support is also known as Alimony. Like child support, many factors weigh in when the court decides how much the Obligor owes to the Obligee. Some of these factors include:
- What is the pay-scale difference between both spouses?
- Did the Obligee have to sacrifice her career or ambitions for the marriage?
- Did the Obligee leave her education and now want to continue again so she can land on her feet?
- Whether the Obligee has outstanding dues that they took during the marriage, for instance, credit card bills, mortgage, etc.?
- How much does the Obligor earn?
All these factors sum up in the court of law to determine the sum of spousal support. Then, the Obligor can decide whether to pay altogether or in installments.
