The court considers your lifestyle when deciding on post-divorce support payments. Since your hobbies have become a refuge during difficult times, you would like to have the finances to continue them.
When seeking financial support, it helps to understand how a judge may decide. Some general knowledge of how it works may aid in planning for what life after divorce looks like.
How does the court divide property?
Under New Jersey law, marital property and debt divide equitably. This process entails the court going through the financial disclosures of the parties and the unique factors of the marriage. A judge may consider various factors when deciding who gets what, including:
- If you remained at home to raise children while your spouse worked
- Whether you and your spouse had substantial pre-marital property or debt
- You and your spouse’s education level
- The lifestyle you and your spouse grew accustomed to during the marriage
The judge decides how to divide the assets and debts based on what is fair for your situation. This means that one spouse may come away with more property and less debt versus the other.
What factors go into support calculations?
Child support determinations consider the ages of the children in addition to both spouses’ ability to support them financially. If you stayed at home and gave up your career, you may receive child support and spousal support. The judge may put an end date on your spousal support payments to give you time to secure a job and gain more financial independence.
Deciding on spending the money you receive from your former spouse is within your control. Continuing a sport or hobby may benefit you and your children, and with the proper planning, it is possible.