Job hunting during divorce can be a result of job loss as well as the desire to make more money and be better able to afford life after divorce. Whether you have suddenly become unemployed or are thinking about making more money for the future, job hunting during your divorce can lead to more anxiety, time and expense if your change of employment.
Employment decisions can affect your divorce case
Job hunting during divorce could lead to extra time and resources spent setting things back on course when you change jobs. If a temporary hearing has already taken place, the issues of income, support and child custody might be affected by a significant change in circumstances. The temporary orders in your divorce case might need to be adjusted with a job change which can cost you time and money.
Employee benefits such as health insurance are aspects of divorce financials and the division of responsibility between parents with children. If you are job hunting and considering offers that no longer offer health insurance, you may be required to pay out of pocket if your divorce judge orders you to maintain coverage on your soon to be former spouse and for your children.
Where is the new job located? Is it within the geographical area your divorce judge expects you to be? If the new job is far away or in another state, you may need permission from the court to move with children.
The impact of major employment decisions during divorce
It might be a wise idea to postpone a job hunt until after a divorce several reasons. First, the pressure and anxiety and during a divorce proceeding may affect judgment and emotions. It may be better to make major decisions about changing employment when there are not already major life events taking place.
Maintaining the status quo during divorce and when children are involved, not disrupting them, is important in the eyes of the family law court that may be compelled to make important decisions about parenting and the best interest of the child.
Even if you are unemployed during your divorce, it might not be the best time to look for new work. Your attorney, can seek interim attorney’s fees and costs to help you pay for the divorce and you may be able to receive temporary and permanent financial support depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. Seeking the advice of your divorce and family law attorney about job hunting during divorce is recommended.