If this is the first time you have ever run across the word “manimony,” you likely wonder what it is and what it has to do with a Minnesota divorce. Wife.org explains that manimony is the nickname that has been given to post-divorce spousal support payments that a former wife pays to her former husband.
Whether or not you will have to pay manimony when you divorce will depend on several factors. For instance, if you have had success in the business world and now earn substantially more than your husband does, manimony may factor into your divorce. But your husband must ask the court to award it to him, and the judge must decide whether or not to grant his request.
Changing times
Today, only about 15% of divorces nationwide include manimony awards. Traditionally, husbands earned more than their wives, so men usually made spousal support payments, a/k/a alimony, to their former wives. But as more women like you reach the upper echelons of the corporate world, manimony represents an idea whose time has come.
It may surprise you to learn that in American households today, the woman either earns more than the man or brings home the only paycheck. In addition, over 2 million men now have become stay-at-home dads, leaving their wives to support the family.
Manimony considerations
As with any spousal support request, the judge will consider several things, including the following, before making his or her decision whether or not to award it to your husband:
- Do you currently earn more than your husband, and if so, how much more?
- Will you likely earn more than your husband in the near future, and if so, how much more?
- Do you have more education than your husband, and if so, how much more?
- If your husband went back to school or received additional training, is it likely that his income will match yours?
- Has your husband made substantial nonfinancial contributions to the marriage?
- How long has your marriage lasted?
As stated, manimony occurs in only a small percentage of today’s divorces. Nevertheless, you should be aware that you may have to pay it if you earn a substantial salary and your husband does not.
This is general educational information and not intended to provide legal advice.
