Divorce can be an overwhelming process and if your ex is unwilling to cooperate, it can be equally difficult. In many circumstances, one spouse will decide to stay at home to care for the family, while the other goes to work to support the family financially. Generally, women are the ones who sacrifice their careers to stay at home. When they decide to end their marriage, it can be daunting to try to find a job and deal with procuring an adequate sum of spousal support. This is why a vocational expert can be so beneficial during the divorce process.
A vocational expert is an authority on the job market and at assessing an individual’s earning capacities. They can help determine how marketable a person’s skills are and help evaluate the vocational potential of people. During the divorce, they can offer qualified opinions on income potential and help with issues such as alimony.
The advantages of a vocational expert for your divorce include:
- Offer objective assessments of both parties’ earning potential and employability – In many cases, the spouse who makes a higher income will want to report a lower sum in a divorce proceeding. This is because their income will affect whether or not they need to pay spousal support. A vocational expert can objectively determine their earning potential and capabilities. Similarly, for a spouse who has been out of the workforce for a long period, the expert can review their skills and evaluate their earning potential. This way, the court can have a neutral view of where a couple stands financially.
- Realistically evaluate an individual’s employability and earning capacity after a change in circumstances – Emergencies and accidents can occur unexpectedly. As such, if there is a change in one’s living circumstances, a vocational expert can offer objective reports on that person’s condition. For example, if a spouse sustains an injury that limits their employability, they can use a vocational expert’s report to adjust spousal support.
- Give a second opinion – In some divorces, a spouse or court will request a vocational expert to assess earning capabilities. If your ex does hire an expert, it will be beneficial to hire your own vocational expert to cross reference the reports. This way, you can be sure that the evaluations provided remain fair.
At Family Law Advocacy Group, we understand how difficult the divorce process can be. Financial matters can be contentious. To protect yourself, it is important you hire a qualified spousal support attorney. We have a divorce expert who specializes specifically in family law matters. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
Related Stories: