Can Stay-at-Home Parents Receive Compensation in a Divorce Settlement?

Some might argue that being a parent is the hardest job on the planet. Consider the issues associated with childraising, and it’s easy to see their point. Parents must deal with constant sleep deprivation, an almost never-ending sense of worry, and the process of disciplining children. On the other hand, you might argue that stay-at-home parents have a pretty easy life. After all, they get to stay home while their spouse works long hours and “brings home the bacon,” so to speak. So who is right in this argument? Does the family court in Florida recognize homemaking and parenting as a legitimate contribution to the marital estate?

Woman in Spain Receives Over $200,000 for Years of Chores

Recently, a woman in Spain was awarded over $200,000 in compensation for 25 years of unpaid chores around the house. This payment was part of a court-ordered divorce settlement, as the woman had contributed materially to the home while the husband was out spending his money on Porsches and motorcycles. This is an example of how courts recognize the material contributions of homemakers and stay-at-home parents. But does Florida follow the same rules?

Florida’s Equitable Distribution System Considers Housework

Florida’s equitable distribution system may take into account a range of factors when approaching the property distribution process — including homemaking and raising children. Florida clearly states that one of these factors is:

“The contribution to the marriage by each spouse, including contributions to the care and education of the children and services as homemaker.”

In fact, this is the very first factor mentioned in the section, suggesting it is of the utmost importance.

Although many spouses both work full-time in the modern world, the phenomenon of the “stay-at-home mom” is still very common. Courts need to deal with this matter on a frequent basis.

How Much Compensation Can I Get for My Role as a Homemaker?

But how exactly do family courts in Florida calculate the value of your role as a homemaker? It’s not like you were getting paid — and the demands of your work are extremely subjective. In the aforementioned Spanish divorce case, the courts simply calculated how much the mother would have earned if she had been earning minimum wage as a homemaker for 25 years.

Each case is different. You’ll need to make a list of all of your contributions over the course of the marriage — including how many hours you spent each day taking care of children, paying bills, cleaning, and so on. Some estimate that the true “value” of a homemaker’s contributions is somewhere around the six-figure mark.

Where Can I Find a Qualified Divorce Attorney in Trenton?

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced divorce attorney in Trenton, look no further than the Shochet Law Group. Over the years, we have helped numerous divorcing spouses in the Sunshine State. If you were acting as a homemaker or a stay-at-home parent during the marriage, we understand that you may have serious concerns about your financial stability. With our help, you can strive for the best possible outcome in a confident, efficient manner. Get in touch today and get started with an effective action plan.

Sources

1. https://evoke.ie/2023/03/08/news/spanish-man-ex-wife
2. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html

Shochet Law Group

409 N. Main Street
Trenton, FL 32693
(352) 354-4518 or (877) 548-9888
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If you have further questions about this article or legal concerns, call 800-672-3103