Is Alimony in Atlanta Antiquated?
Many believe that the concept of alimony in Atlanta is antiquated, old-fashioned, and outdated. Although various people share this point of view, spouses tasked with paying alimony may be particularly passionate about its lack of relevance in the modern world. But are these critiques really legitimate? Does alimony still play an important role in today’s society, or is it simply a relic of a bygone era? Although people may disagree on this subject, alimony is a reality of life for many spouses, and it is something that a family law attorney may be able to assist with.
Why Do Some People Believe That Alimony Is Outdated?
One common argument against alimony revolves around the circumstances of its creation. When it first emerged as a concept, human society was incredibly patriarchal in nature. Women found it incredibly challenging to work or earn income, and so they became dependent on their husbands for virtually all basic living costs. Because of this dependence, women who divorced their husbands ran the very real risk of becoming destitute. They then inevitably became dependent on the community or state government, and this presented the need for alimony.
Things have changed considerably since this time in history. Women are no longer banned from participating in the workforce, and some earn much more than their male counterparts. Therefore, some argue that alimony no longer makes sense. If alimony was created because of the inherit, society income and wealth disparities between men and women, then one might argue that it no longer makes sense.
The Argument for Alimony in the Modern World
On the other hand, there are many reasons to support the continuation of alimony in the modern world. Perhaps most obviously, alimony is now a completely gender-neutral legal concept. If a wife earns more than her husband during the course of her marriage, she may need to pay alimony. In other words, it is the higher-earning spouse who pays alimony, and this individual could very well be a woman.
Others argue that alimony is still necessary because stay-at-home parents and homemakers are still common in Atlanta. One spouse might sacrifice their own career and earning capacity to look after the children, handle domestic chores, and take on many other responsibilities while the other spouse can focus entirely on their own job. These contributions might not be directly financial in nature, but they allow families to increase their collective wealth.
Can a Family Law Attorney in Atlanta Help With Alimony Issues?
Whether you’re concerned about paying alimony or you stand to receive these payments, a family law attorney in Atlanta may be able to help you address various alimony-related issues. If you believe that alimony is an outdated and antiquated concept, you may be able to avoid these payments with a prenuptial agreement. Both spouses can also agree to forgo these payments through divorce mediation. If you believe that it is still relevant, you can fight for your right to receive alimony with help from a lawyer. Learn more by contacting Buckhead Family Law today.
Source:
abajournal.com/voice/article/are_alimony_rules_antiquated_in_an_era_of_greater_equality
