What is a Matrimonial Evaluation?
By Edmond Provder | Published on July 19, 2011 | 0 Comments
Many matrimonial attorneys are unaware of the importance of evaluating a spouse when they are unemployed, under employed or disabled to evaluate their earning potential in the local labor market. The information obtained in the vocational analysis is used to determine the final amount of alimony. The expertise of a vocational expert in NYC is a unique service that can help either spouse when it comes to determining employability and earning capacity issues.
According to Edmond Provder, of Occupational Assessment Services Inc., he says the most common scenario that occurs is with a wife in her forties or early fifties that has spent the last decade as a non-working mother and homemaker. While she often can have a college degree or many transferable skills, she may not have recent work experience. Due to their experience, vocational experts have been utilized by matrimonial lawyers to bridge the gap between a homemaker spouse and his/her potential employability and, more importantly, earning capacity, according to Provder.
The evaluation is a four-step process that analyzes the spouse’s past work experience, aptitudes, and transferable skills.
“The evaluation consists of an in-person diagnostic vocational interview, vocational testing if necessary, transferability skills analysis, and a determination of the types of work the person can perform given their capabilities. A labor market analysis is performed to locate actual job openings for the various occupations that the spouse can perform. In addition, average wages in the geographical area for these occupations is also included in a matrimonial vocational report,” says Provder.
He goes on to say that in recent years the frequency of matrimonial litigation is on the rise due to the recognition from Family Court judges that housewives do in fact have earning capacity. This trend is also due in part to the recent recession that has displaced many spouses who now find themselves under or unemployed and without income.
An employability expert in NYC can help these spouses determine their income capabilities. Provder explains that this type of evaluation can be beneficial to either spouse depending on what the results reveal. He says that he uses a standardized methodology used in the field of Rehabilitation for many years to perform the vocational evaluation.
During the vocational evaluation, if the spouse has any physical and/or psychological impairments, the individual’s capabilities, skills and resultant possible job opportunities are evaluated.
In addition to matrimonial evaluations Occupational Assessment Services Inc. provides services for personal injury, wrongful termination, employment law, workers compensation and social security disability cases. They can also be called as an expert witness for attorneys that need in-person testimony. For more information on vocational expert services in NYC, contact Occupational Assessment Services Inc. directly.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.