What Stay-at-Home Moms Facing Divorce Need to Know

Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most demanding jobs. While it is also one of the most rewarding, it can leave you vulnerable in the event of a divorce. Our Chicago divorce attorneys are here to help in this situation and explain what stay-at-home moms facing divorce need to know.  

How to Prepare for Divorce as a Stay-at-Home Mom

Going through the breakup of a marriage can take a heavy toll on your emotional health. Once the decision is made to get a divorce, there are also important practical matters to consider. The situation can be even more challenging if you are a stay-at-home mom. The following are steps you can take now to prepare yourself, both for your divorce and the aftermath: 

• Open your own bank account: As a stay-at-home parent, you need to begin establishing yourself financially, apart from your spouse. Opening your own bank account is an important first step. 
• Re-establish your credit: Pay off any debts that you can prior to divorce, close joint accounts, and apply for a credit card or small personal loan in your name alone to re-establish your individual credit.
• Take an inventory of all marital property and assets: Make a list of all property you and your spouse earned, purchased, or otherwise acquired over the course of your marriage, such as homes, cars, furniture, personal belongings, and savings, investments, retirement benefits, or other financial accounts. Under the Illinois Statutes, you have a right to a portion of all these assets in your divorce. 
• Determine the amount of income you need to support yourself: If you have been a stay-at-home mom, you may need to acquire additional education to re-enter the workforce or invest time in rebuilding a career. Determine the amount of income you will need to support yourself. Depending on your spouse’s income and the length of your marriage, you may be entitled to spousal support. If you plan on having primary custody of your children, you are entitled to child support payments, as well. 
• Make plans for your children: One of the hardest things for any parent facing divorce is deciding how to tell the children. Today’s Parent offers some tips on what information to provide based on the child’s age. You should also consider that in Illinois, parenting plans are generally encouraged that allow both parents to remain active and involved in the child’s life. Give thought to how these arrangements might work in your particular situation. 

Consult With Our Chicago Divorce Attorneys

At the Women’s Divorce and Family Law Group, we protect the rights of stay-at-home parents in divorce proceedings. To help ensure you get the best possible outcome in your case, reach out and call or contact our Chicago divorce attorneys online and request a consultation today.