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Stay-at-home moms should consider postnuptial agreements

New parents in Texas who are part of the workforce have some difficult decisions to make. Even with professional help, some couples may find it nearly impossible for both spouses to work outside the home while raising a small child. The woman in the relationship is still the one who generally takes on the role of stay-at-home parent, despite the facts that women now comprise almost half of the U.S. workforce and men are increasingly leaving jobs to care for young children full-time. Regardless of one’s views on the subject, women who leave the workforce must consider how the dynamics of their marriage will change and what will happen in the event of a breakup.

It’s important to consider the fact that financial disputes are one of the leading causes of divorce. A woman who stays at home might become entirely dependent on her husband for finances, which could put strain on the marriage. If the family income “belongs” to the husband, it might complicate decisions related to spending, saving and investing.

The money that a woman missed out on earning while staying at home should be taken into account if a couple breaks up. The years that a woman typically spends outside of the workforce might also be the years when she has the highest earning potential. She may also find it very difficult to reenter the job market after being out of it for so many years.

Because of these factors, a couple may wish to get a postnuptial agreement if the wife is deciding to stay home with the child. This type of document is similar to a prenuptial agreement in that it establishes how marital assets will be divided in the event of a divorce. However, the advantage of a “postnup” is that it can be negotiated after a couple has been married. Having an open discussion about the financial implications of stay-at-home parenting may prevent the wife from ending up in a poor position when property is being divided after a divorce.

Source: forbes.com, “Why You Need A Postnup And Other Points To Consider Before Leaving Your Paid Job To Be A Stay-At-Home Mom” Jeff Landers, Jan. 22, 2014

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