Divorce Is the Dumps for Dads

 Posted on July 22, 2013 in Child Custody

Nearly 7 out of 10 divorces are initiated by women, according to a survey conducted by the AARP. This may be due to anticipated advantages women see in being single, rather than remaining married (a concept supported in a study titled "Child Custody Policies and Divorce Rates in the US," conducted by John Guidubaldi and Richard Kuhn). Coinciding with this figure is the figure of child custody awarded to parents based on gender; according to Divorce-Lawyer-Source.com, 70 percent of divorces involving children result in the mother getting custody.

When women anticipate that the courts will demonstrate a clear gender bias regarding custody, they expect to be the primary residential parent for the children and the recipient of the resulting financial child support. They may also expect to maintain the marital residence, receive half of all marital property, and gain total freedom to establish new social relationships. In Guidubaldi and Kuhn's detailed analysis of divorce rates, they conclude that acceptance of joint physical custody may reduce divorce. States whose family law policies, statutes, or judicial practice encourage joint custody have shown a greater decline in their divorce rates than those that favor sole custody.

What does this all add up to for dad? It means that dad may not only lose custody of the children, he may lose "custody" of the house; the car; his reputation; and, of course, money. Some states, such as New York, allow the career homemaker to collect alimony for the rest of her natural life. (That's after the kids have grown up and moved out.) Thankfully, most states are not this extreme, and many factors go into determining the proper amount on a case-by-case basis. For example, some pay month to month, while others pay a lump sum each year.

In order for you to get the facts straight and to understand the divorce laws in Illinois, you should contact a competent divorce attorney who can help you through this troubling time.