[Janelle Ward]

Have you ever considered the value of your unpaid domestic labour – maybe as you’ve fumed about how much you do compared to other members of the household?

Well, one woman has gone a step further and sought compensation for housework in a divorce settlement.
And she has been successful.

A man in Spain has been ordered to pay his ex-wife about $327,000 for 25 years of housework based on the average minimum wage throughout their marriage.

The woman had been virtually a full-time stay-at-home mum looking after family and working as a housewife during the marriage.

“I was supporting my husband in his work and in the family as a mother and a father. I was never allowed access to his financial affairs; everything was in his name,” she said.

“Clearly this was a case of abuse to be completely excluded financially (by my ex-husband) with nothing left after my marriage ended.”

The court agreed.

Were or are you a full-time housewife and carer? Have you ever calculated the financial benefits of that to the family?

[Author]

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