On paper, “splitting everything 50/50” sounds fair. Equal shares, equal rights, clean break. But here’s the ugly truth: a 50/50 split often leaves stay-at-home parents at a massive disadvantage.

Why? Because money in divorce isn’t just about the snapshot of today’s bank balance. It’s about how those numbers got there, and where they’re headed.

This discussion should be required reading for any spouse or parent thinking of “staying home” or stepping back from their career during a marriage. Here in New York, there is very little return-on-investment for that sacrifice, and a court isn’t going to compensate for the lost time and future career setbacks.