Why Do I Recommend That You Be Employed or Actively Job Searching Before Moving Forward With Divorce?

Divorce is a major life transition, and preparing for it emotionally and financially is key to protecting your long-term stability. If you’re considering divorce and are currently unemployed or underemployed, it’s essential to understand how your employment status can directly impact outcomes related to child support, alimony, and your post-divorce financial well-being.

This post explains why being employed—or at least actively job hunting—before filing for divorce can be a critical step in safeguarding your future, especially under Georgia law.

Employment and Financial Independence Matter in Georgia Divorces

In Georgia, courts expect able-bodied individuals who are not of retirement age to support themselves, especially once the divorce is finalized. While alimony and child support can help, they are rarely intended to fully replace a spouse’s income or fund a dependent lifestyle.

Judges in Georgia typically assess your earning capacity, not just your current income. If you’re not working but are capable of doing so, the court may impute income to you—this means assigning you a hypothetical income based on what you could reasonably earn. This imputed amount is then factored into the financial equations used to determine alimony and child support.

What Happens If You’re Not Working?

If you are not employed or actively seeking work during your divorce proceedings, several consequences may follow:

• Lower alimony and child support awards: Courts subtract your imputed income from your stated expenses, reducing the amount your spouse may be ordered to pay.

• Increased financial pressure post-divorce: You may be left with a gap between your support payments and your actual living expenses.

• Inability to meet basic needs: Without sufficient income, some individuals end up relying on family support, incurring debt, or facing housing instability.

In short, failing to prepare financially can undermine your autonomy and well-being after the divorce is finalized.

How Judges Evaluate Income Potential

When assessing your income potential, Georgia judges may look at:

• Your work history and education

• Local job market and available opportunities

• Evidence that you’re applying for jobs (resumes, interview records, etc.)

• Expert testimony on earning potential (in more complex cases)

If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while—perhaps due to caregiving responsibilities—it’s still wise to start re-engaging with your career early in the divorce process. Demonstrating effort matters.

Don’t Wait: Why You Should Start Job Searching Now

Here’s why initiating job search efforts (or starting work if possible) before filing for divorce is so important:

• Strengthens your case: Showing initiative reflects well in court and may give you leverage during settlement discussions.

• Improves financial clarity: Knowing your potential income helps you and your attorney create a realistic post-divorce budget.

• Reduces post-divorce stress: Having income lined up minimizes financial uncertainty and avoids debt accumulation.

If you’re able-bodied and not nearing retirement, the expectation from the court is that you will be moving toward self-sufficiency. Even part-time work or documented job-seeking efforts can help strengthen your position.

Take a Proactive Approach With Legal Guidance

At Atlanta Holistic Family Law, we guide our clients through every stage of divorce with care and clarity. A proactive financial plan—including employment—is essential for a smooth transition. If you’re contemplating divorce and unsure where to start, we can help you evaluate your next steps through our divorce services.

Schedule a discovery call to learn how we can support you.