In traditional relationships, husbands most often make more money than their wives. It has been this way for a long time. However, in Ohio and elsewhere things are changing. More women are starting to make more money than their husbands. This has changed their relationships and changed how family law settlements are drafted if a couple ends up getting divorced.
According to a recently published article in The New York Times, in approximately 25 percent of all couples, women are the primary breadwinners. That is up 7 percent since the 1980s. So, it is definitely a slow but steady rise.
The social aspect of a wife making more than her husband has been very difficult on couples. It is believed that most couples in such situations lie about their incomes because it is still more socially acceptable for the man to bring home the bacon. The income issue often creates tension in a marriage and it has contributed to a number of divorce filings over the years.
When women make more money than their husbands and divorce does enter the picture, it is the husbands who then have the ability to seek spousal support. Traditionally, it has been the other way around. Fathers who are primary care givers to their children may also be granted a better custody deal and child support, as opposed to their wives being granted these things.
At the end of the day, spousal support, if awarded by an Ohio court, will go to the spouse who needs it — regardless of gender. Custody will be figured out so that the best interests of the children are taken into consideration — it is no longer simply mom gets the kids, — and child support will go to the parent who ends up with primary custody, even if it is dad. There is no shame in men asking for family law settlements that are fair and take their unique family situations into consideration.