From a financial standpoint, alimony and child support are the two major concerns men have when heading for divorce. Some men assume they’ll live the rest of their life in poverty while their ex-wives live the high life on their alimony and child support checks. 
But alimony isn’t always granted in a divorce, and support payments can be amended if needed.
Here’s what you need to know about alimony and child support:
Alimony Can Be Granted to Men, Too
True, women are usually the ones granted alimony, but there’s no rule saying men can’t get alimony.
Forbes says there are 400,000 people in the U.S. who receive alimony, and just 3% are men.
Many men either don’t know that they can get alimony payments, or have too much pride to request it. But if you need a little help getting back on your feet after the divorce, there is no shame in requesting alimony.
Maybe you put your career on hold to raise the kids. Maybe you’re in the middle of earning your degree. No matter the case – if your ex-wife earns a higher salary than you, you can request spousal maintenance.
Alimony Can Be Adjusted in the Future
Alimony payments can be amended for a few reasons. If you are facing financial hardship, payments may be lowered or eliminated altogether.
And if your ex gets remarried, alimony is automatically ended. If you can prove that your former spouse is living with someone else or has an increase in income, you can also request that the courts lower or eliminate alimony payments.
Child Support Can Be Amended if Your Situation Changes
Just as alimony can be amended, so can child support. If your financial situation changes, you can request that the court lower your payments.
Child support payments can also be modified if:
- The child’s needs change significantly
- One parent becomes disabled
- One parent is incarcerated
- One parent loses his or her job
- The cost of living increases
Changes to child support payments should be done through the court system and should be in writing.
Child Support Won’t Last Forever
While each state has its own rules, child support doesn’t last forever.
In most cases, support payments will stop at the age of 18. But if the child attends college, they may extend up until the age of 20.
In either case, you won’t be paying child support for the rest of your life.
