Factoring Your Non-Monetary Household Contributions in a Virginia Divorce (Part A)

The true role you played in your marriage prior to filing for Virginia divorce cannot be gauged solely in dollars and cents. Disregarding everything you have done for your family just because it didn't equate to a yearly salary or hourly wage is not fair.

Luckily, there are ways to account for the breadth of "services" you have selflessly provided for so long. It's known as non-monetary contributions, which can have a profound impact on your future financial security, provided you know how to point them out and prove them during your Virginia divorce proceedings.

To make sure the true extent of your non-monetary contributions are made known when crucial decisions such as spousal support and property distribution are made, you'll want to consult with a Virginia divorce attorney.

Types of Non-Monetary Contributions

A Virginia divorce attorney can analyze just how much you contributed to your marriage and household via non-monetary contributions by reviewing some common responsibilities, including: 

• infant care;
• childcare;
• grocery shopping;
• planning and cooking meals;
• washing dishes;
• cleaning;
• doing laundry;
• maintaining your home;
• repairing your home;
• gardening and mowing the lawn;
• sewing and fixing clothes;
• caring for pets;
• running errands;
• acting as chauffeur; and
• budgeting household finances. 

In addition to these everyday duties, you likely play a part in your family's well-being, which may be considered in the form of career advising, counseling your children, providing religious guidance, assisting with homework, and facilitating morning and evening routines.

The non-monetary contributions that may be considered in your Virginia divorce are vast. Perhaps you didn't even consider some of these regular contributions before now.

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