If you are a well-paid female executive in California, you should be aware that the court may require you to pay your husband spousal support when you divorce if his earnings are substantially lower than yours. While “reverse alimony” remains a reasonably uncommon event, it is catching on across the country. As wife.org reports, it even has a new nickname: manimony.
Today approximately 20 percent of divorcing husbands nationwide get post-divorce manimony from their ex-wives. In the past five years, women have become the major or only breadwinner in approximately 40 percent of American households. It may surprise you to learn that over 2 million dads stay home to take care of the kids while their wives work to support the family.
Manimony factors
Courts use the same factors to determine the amount of either manimony or traditional alimony, called spousal support today. These factors include the following:
- How much you earn as compared to how much your husband earns
- How much more likely you can obtain and maintain high-income jobs than your husband
- How much additional education or training your husband needs, if any, in order to increase his earning potential
- How long you and your husband have been married
- Noneconomic contributions your husband made to the marriage
Manimony payment length
Should the judge award your husband manimony, take comfort in the thought that you will not have to pay this amount forever. Spousal support awards generally last for no longer than 10 years at the most. In addition, most such awards stop if and when the receiving ex-spouse remarries. Furthermore, if the judge bases the award on your husband’s need for additional education or training, your payments likely will end once he receives it.
This is educational information and not intended to provide legal advice.