5 Divorce Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents in Illinois

 Posted on August 25, 2025 in Divorce

Getting a divorce may be one of the most difficult situations you may face during your life. Resolving financial concerns, adjusting your living situations, and determining child custody can be a lot to handle for anyone who is going through a divorce. However, the process can feel especially overwhelming if you are a stay-at-home parent.

When you have devoted years to caring for your children and managing your household, you may worry about your financial future, your ability to return to work, and how your divorce will affect your children. An experienced Wheaton, IL divorce attorney can help you understand your rights and find solutions that will protect your well-being and ensure that you can provide for your children’s needs. Read on for some things to keep in mind as you approach the divorce process as a stay-at-home parent.

Take Time to Understand Your Finances

One of the first steps when preparing for divorce as a stay-at-home parent is to gain a clear picture of your financial situation. By understanding your family’s income, the assets you own, and your regular expenses, you can determine what will be necessary to meet your ongoing needs going forward. Some ways you can make sure financial matters will be addressed correctly include:

• Gather bank account and credit card statements.

• Review tax returns, pay stubs, bank deposits, and other income records.

• Review bills and payments made from bank accounts to determine household expenses such as mortgage or rent, utilities, insurance, and child-related costs.

• Identify different types of marital assets, such as retirement accounts, investments, and valuables that may need to be appraised.

Your attorney can help you gather financial information during the discovery phase of your divorce. This will ensure a fair marital property division and help you take steps to protect your financial interests.

Determine Whether You Are Eligible to Receive Spousal Support

You may worry about how you will support yourself after your divorce, especially if you have not worked outside the home for several years. Under Illinois law, you may be eligible for spousal support (also called spousal maintenance or alimony) if you have been financially dependent on your spouse during the marriage or if you will need assistance to ensure that you can maintain your standard of living. 

When determining whether you can receive spousal support, the court may look at multiple factors related to your marriage and your financial situation. These can include sacrifices you made in your career or your ability to earn an income to focus on family responsibilities. The court may also consider whether you contributed to your spouse’s career, such as by handling child care and other household duties so that they could pursue an education or focus on their work.

As a stay-at-home parent, you deserve to avoid disruptions to your situation and your children’s lives. Spousal support may help ensure that you can continue providing care for your children, cover your ongoing expenses, and maintain financial stability.

Consider Whether You Can Reenter the Workforce

If you have been a stay-at-home parent, you may eventually need to return to work after your divorce so that you will be able to support yourself. However, reentering the workforce can feel intimidating when you have not worked outside the home for an extended period. There are some steps you can take to make the transition easier:

• Update your resume and highlight the organizational and multitasking skills you have developed as a parent.

• Explore retraining, certifications, or continuing education programs.

• Network with friends, former colleagues, or local organizations to determine what job opportunities may be available.

• Consider part-time or flexible work that will allow you to balance parenting and employment.

In addition to helping you cover your ongoing expenses, spousal support may help you pursue education or training that will allow you to build the skills needed to find employment in the future.

Focus on Supporting Your Children During the Divorce Process

Your children may struggle to come to terms with your divorce, and as a stay-at-home parent, you can provide them with stability and reassurance. You can support your children by:

• Maintaining routines to provide a sense of normalcy and stability.

• Encouraging open communication and letting them express their feelings.

• Avoiding negative comments about the other parent.

• Working together with your soon-to-be ex-spouse whenever possible to provide for your children’s needs.

Illinois courts place a strong emphasis on the best interests of the child when making decisions about parenting time and parental responsibilities. Showing that you are focused on your children’s well-being can help strengthen your position as you resolve issues related to child custody during the divorce process.

Take Care of Yourself

As a stay-at-home parent, you may be accustomed to putting yourself last and focusing on what is best for your family. As you proceed with your divorce, you will need to address your own emotional needs and determine how you can cope with the changes you are going through. You can receive support from trusted friends or family members, or you may see a therapist who can help you work through the emotional issues you are experiencing. By prioritizing your health and well-being, you can make sure you will be able to move forward into the next chapter of your life while providing care for your children.

Contact Our Wheaton, IL Divorce Attorneys

When you are preparing for divorce as a stay-at-home parent, an experienced attorney can provide you with guidance on the best ways to address issues related to property division, financial support, and child custody. At Fawell & Fawell, our DuPage County, IL divorce lawyers are ready to assist you. Call 630-871-2400 to set up a free consultation.