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There are approximately 400,000 people in the country who receive payments in the form of alimony. Of these people, only 3 percent were men. That may not be surprising to you, as we typically think of women as the people who receive post-divorce support.
It may be more surprising when you discover that 40 percent of households today are headed by a female breadwinner. Those numbers would suggest that there are thousands of men who may be entitled to alimony that aren’t receiving it. But why?
Societal Pressures
There are a variety of reasons that men aren’t receiving alimony. Some choose not to. Gender roles dictate that the man is supposed to take care of the woman and not the other way around. Pride is a strong beast that can easily get in the way of a man accepting alimony payments from his ex-wife. In some instances, depending on what area of the country you live in, you may find a judge that is sexist. There’s really no other way to say it.
Sexist ideas and gender roles aren’t the only reasons that some men choose to forego alimony payments from their exes. Some men, the same as women, decline to seek anything from their ex because they hope the process of divorce goes smoother, not to mention co-parenting after the divorce. Some people simply believe that alimony will make things more difficult after the marriage ends, and it just isn’t worth paying the cost.
Perceived Self-Sufficiency
Others don’t take alimony payments because they believe that they are self-sufficient. They believe they will be able to easily find a job and support themselves. While in some cases this may be true, it is not always the case. Finding a job can take time, not to mention having a paycheck start rolling in. A man who believes that he doesn’t need alimony because he’s going to start taking care of himself quickly may be making a mistake.
What’s important to understand is that alimony payments are meant to enable the lower-earning spouse to support themselves until they can find a job. In other instances, it is meant to make up the difference between the income they have and what they will be losing in the divorce. No matter the reason, alimony is not a crutch but a necessary element in a divorce. Any person that deserves alimony and is not merely attempting to take advantage of their soon-to-be ex should accept the payments graciously.
Talk to an Orlando Divorce Attorney Today
If you need assistance with a divorce or have questions about alimony in Orlando, reach out to our family law team. We will review your needs at a free case evaluation and discuss your legal rights with you. Call today to schedule your consultation and let us assist you in making the process of divorce as smooth and efficient as possible.
