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My ex got fired in the middle of our divorce, what should I do?

On Behalf of | Jun 12, 2019 | Divorce, Firm News |

Most people in Massachusetts are understandably worried about what their finances will look like after a divorce. For those who earned less than their soon-to-be ex-spouse or who stayed home to care for children, things like alimony and spousal support can be extremely important for financial security. However, life is not perfect, and sometimes the unexpected can change how things proceed during a divorce. Here are a few things to keep in mind if a spouse loses a job during a divorce.

How an ex lost the job is important in terms of figuring out things like alimony and child support. If the ex was laid off through no fault of his or her own and makes a concerted effort to find new employment, the court will probably take that into account when determining how much will need to be paid every month. While it can be understandably upsetting to realize that support payments will be lower than expected, once an ex secures a new position it may be possible to modify a support order.

But what if the ex was fired because of misconduct or poor performance? In these situations, the court might set the support amounts based on the income the ex was previously earning. However, those who will receive support payments should still maintain realistic expectations as to what they will receive. It is still possible that it will be less than anticipated.

Even when in the best financial circumstances, divorce can take a toll on people’s finances. This does not mean that unhappy Massachusetts couples should put off filing for divorce just because they are worried about their financial stability. Instead, these individuals can use that concern to maintain a strong focus on aspects of divorce that have a strong financial component, including property division, child support and alimony.