Money is a big source of stress in marriage. Unfortunately, money is also a big hurdle for divorce. Many people in Texas stay in unhappy marriages because they are worried they will not have any financial stability in the future. While anyone can feel this way, the problem tends to affect more women than men.
The Stress in America: Paying With Our Health survey from the American Psychological Association found that 64% of adults in America feel either somewhat or very stressed over money. That percentage increases for parents, 77% of whom report feeling stressed about the costs of raising children. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that parents shell out about $233,610 just to raise a child to the age of 17.
That parental money stress might be especially hard for mothers. Since raising a child is undoubtedly expensive, adding in the cost of child care so that both parents can work is not always feasible. In many of these situations, it is the mothers who end up staying home to care for children while fathers continue to go to work, create a career and secure continued income. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this arrangement, it can make things difficult for women who are ready to divorce.
Without a secure income, money stress can prevent some women from pursuing divorce. However, things like spousal and child support can help create a temporary sense of financial stability after a divorce. Understanding these and other options may give both women and men in Texas the opportunity to pursue divorce with confidence.
