Divorce often brings complex emotional and financial decisions, especially when one spouse is requesting alimony or child support. Determining the appropriate level of financial support can be challenging—particularly if there’s uncertainty around a spouse’s ability to work or earn an income.
This is where a vocational assessment becomes a powerful tool. By evaluating a spouse’s employability and earning capacity, courts can make more accurate, fact-based decisions regarding support.
Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. (OAS) is a leading provider of vocational evaluations in divorce and family law cases, offering expert assessments that help attorneys, judges, and families find fair resolutions.
What Is a Vocational Assessment?
A vocational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that measures a person’s ability to work and their potential income. In divorce cases, this type of assessment helps determine whether a spouse is capable of employment, what kinds of jobs they are suited for, and how much they can reasonably expect to earn based on their qualifications and the current job market.
Components of a vocational assessment include:
Education & Certifications – Reviewing academic history and credentials.
Work History – Evaluating past employment, roles, and industry experience.
Skills & Abilities – Identifying transferable skills and relevant competencies.
Physical & Mental Health – Factoring in any medical issues that could limit job performance.
Job Market Research – Assessing local and national job availability, trends, and wages.
These evaluations provide a well-rounded picture of a person’s earning ability, which is often essential when resolving financial disputes during divorce proceedings.
Why Are Vocational Evaluations So Valuable in Divorce Cases?
Courts rely on evidence—not assumptions—when deciding matters of financial support. A vocational evaluation provides a neutral, fact-based analysis of a spouse’s ability to earn, helping judges make informed decisions.
Here’s why vocational assessments are critical in family law:
✅ Establishes True Earning Potential
A vocational expert evaluates a spouse’s background, work experience, and qualifications to determine a realistic income range based on the current job market.
✅ Assesses Employability After a Career Gap
If a spouse has been out of the workforce for years (such as raising children), the assessment evaluates their ability to re-enter the workforce, identifies suitable job opportunities, and outlines any additional training they might need.
✅ Provides Expert Testimony for the Court
Vocational evaluations are often used as expert testimony during divorce proceedings. These objective, data-driven reports carry significant weight with judges when deciding spousal support, especially when financial claims are disputed.
✅ Prevents Unfair Financial Obligations
If a spouse is capable of working but claims they cannot, a vocational assessment ensures financial support is determined based on real earning capacity—not speculation. This helps avoid unnecessary financial burdens on the supporting spouse.
✅ Supports Child Support Calculations
In addition to alimony, a parent’s ability to earn income directly impacts child support. A vocational evaluation helps the court set reasonable expectations for both parents’ financial responsibilities.
When Should a Vocational Assessment Be Used?
Vocational assessments are especially useful in several common divorce-related situations:
➤ Spousal Support (Alimony) Disputes
Courts use vocational evaluations to decide whether one spouse genuinely needs financial support or if they have the capacity to become self-sufficient.
➤ Stay-at-Home Parents Entering the Job Market
For spouses who have spent years out of the workforce caring for children, an evaluation identifies job opportunities that match their background and estimates potential income.
➤ Unequal Income Divorces
When there is a significant income gap between spouses, vocational assessments help ensure support payments are based on accurate earning potential—not exaggerated dependency.
➤ Underemployment or Hidden Income
If a spouse is suspected of working below their qualifications or hiding income to reduce support obligations, a vocational evaluation can reveal their true earning capacity.
Why Choose OAS for Vocational Evaluations in Divorce Cases?
Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. (OAS) is one of the nation’s most experienced providers of vocational evaluations in legal settings. With decades of experience supporting attorneys and clients, OAS offers detailed, unbiased assessments that stand up in court.
Here’s why attorneys and clients trust OAS:
✔ Skilled and Certified Vocational Experts
OAS employs highly trained professionals who specialize in evaluating employability, wage potential, and job readiness within the context of legal disputes.
✔ Neutral and Objective Assessments
All evaluations are impartial, fact-based, and designed to assist the court in making balanced decisions—not to advocate for either party.
✔ Court-Ready Reports
Each vocational assessment includes a full review of educational background, work history, market conditions, wage data, and employment options—prepared specifically for use in legal proceedings.
✔ Available for Testimony
OAS experts are available to testify in court, providing clear explanations of their findings. Their testimony is often instrumental in resolving contested support issues.
✔ Proven Record of Success
OAS has helped attorneys and families across the country reach equitable financial settlements with confidence, clarity, and expert insight.
The Vocational Assessment Process: What to Expect
At OAS, the vocational assessment process is structured, professional, and tailored to each individual case:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The vocational expert meets with the individual to discuss education, work history, health, and career goals.
Step 2: Evaluation of Skills & Background
The expert reviews employment records, certifications, and training to assess current qualifications and job-readiness.
Step 3: Labor Market Analysis
OAS conducts thorough research to identify available jobs in the individual’s field and region, including salary ranges and hiring trends.
Step 4: Detailed Written Report
A comprehensive report is created, outlining the individual’s employment potential, expected earnings, and, if needed, retraining recommendations.
Step 5: Expert Testimony (If Needed)
If the case proceeds to court, the vocational expert may be called to present the findings and explain them to the judge and legal teams.
Final Thoughts
Divorce can be financially and emotionally complicated, especially when it comes to support disputes. A vocational assessment brings clarity and fairness to these conversations by offering a clear, expert-backed evaluation of a person’s ability to earn a living.
Whether you’re an attorney advocating for your client, or a spouse involved in a support dispute, partnering with a trusted vocational expert like OAS can make all the difference. Their evaluations offer the facts courts need to make just and informed financial decisions.
Need Help with a Divorce-Related Vocational Evaluation?
Reach out to Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. (OAS) today to schedule a consultation. Their expert vocational assessments are a valuable resource in ensuring fair, fact-based outcomes in divorce and family law cases.
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