WORKING SINGLE MOTHERS

Please post comments here about re-entering the workforce.

Many of us have stayed home during a marriage in order to raise our children. This was a joint decision and supported by our then-husbands. Suddenly after 5,10,15,20 years we are forced to go out and work. While our ex's have spent the past years building their career and getting raises, we are in the same financial situation as a person straight out of college. People straight out of college don't usually have 2.5 children to support, rent or mortgage for a home big enough to house a family, childcare costs, perhaps even college costs for their own children, need I go on?

Statistics say that a woman who has been out of the workforce for just three years looses 37% of her earning power.

Sadly, a lot of women don't know to ask for maintenance (formerly known as alimony), or their lawyer's don't address the issues. For instance, in Washington State, the guidelines are that the woman should receive one year of maintenance or every three years of the relationship (relationship! - not marriage). However, these are just guidelines, and there is no standard as to how much maintenance a women should receive.

In addition, credit worthiness is not community property. Once a woman who was a low- or non-wage earner in a marriage divorces, it's very difficult, if not impossible to qualify for any credit - she doesn't have a job (or has a too low paying job) in order to qualify and/or to afford the payments, and/or she doesn't have any equity in a home. The husband, who has always had a job, and can show stable income, can still easily get credit, and afford the payments. This needs to be taken into consideration at the time of the divorce settlement.

Save money! A Divorce Coach at www.divorcedoula.com can help you prepare your financial orders before you go into your attorney.

Share your experiences, and share what you think can proactively be done about this inequality.