If you are a woman who earns more than your husband, you may wonder if he can request alimony from you. Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment that one spouse makes to the other to help them maintain a reasonable standard of living after a divorce. The answer to whether your husband can request alimony from you depends on several factors, such as the length of your marriage, the reason for your divorce and the relative economic circumstances of both parties.
Can men receive it?
Yes. Men can receive spousal support in Virginia if they meet the criteria. There is no gender bias in Virginia’s spousal support laws. However, historically, men have been less likely to receive spousal support than women because they have been more likely to be the higher earners in a marriage. According to a 2018 report by Pew Research Center, women earned 85% of what men earned in 2018. However, this gap has been narrowing over time as more women enter higher-paying fields and more men take on caregiving roles.
Is it common?
According to industry reports, there has been a significant increase in the number of women paying alimony. This suggests that more men are seeking and receiving spousal support than before.
Psychological barriers
However, there may still be some social and psychological barriers that prevent men from requesting spousal support. Some men may feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for financial help from their ex-wives, or they may fear being regarded as weak or dependent. Some men may also face resistance or hostility from their ex-wives who may not want to pay spousal support to their former husbands. If you are a man who is considering asking for spousal support in Virginia, you should not let these factors deter you from pursuing your legal rights.
