Spousal support isn’t just about income. In Ohio, judges also look at what each person contributed to the marriage beyond money. These nonmonetary contributions can carry just as much weight in court as a paycheck. This is especially true in long-term marriages or high-income households where one person may have supported the family in important ways.
What are nonmonetary contributions?
Nonmonetary contributions are the things a spouse does that don’t involve earning money but still help the marriage or family succeed. Examples include raising children, managing the household, supporting a partner through school or career changes, or taking care of aging parents.
These efforts often allow the other spouse to grow professionally, increase earnings, or build wealth during the marriage. The court sees that type of support, even though unpaid, as a contribution to the household’s long-term success.
How do nonmonetary contributions influence spousal support?
Ohio judges understand that running a household or raising a family is real work. If one spouse stayed home for many years to care for children or manage the home, that can affect how the court calculates spousal support. It may mean that the spouse has less job experience, fewer career skills, or a lower earning ability after divorce. The judge may decide that spousal support helps balance things out.
Judges will also consider how long the marriage lasted, the age and health of both spouses, and whether the non-earning spouse can become financially independent. If someone gave up a career or didn’t get to build one because they focused on the family, the court may decide that spousal support is necessary to provide stability.
In high-income families, this support can be significant. The goal is to reach a fair decision and make sure that both people can move forward after the divorce, even if their roles during the marriage were very different.
