Vocational expertise is utilized to assess a spouse’s employment limitations or ability to work and earn an income. A Vocational Expert determines the future income/employment potential of the person and determines the time necessary, if applicable, to acquire sufficient education and training for appropriate employment.

Issues considered/addressed:

• Work history, including skills and abilities acquired
• Training and education background
• Volunteer and/or community involvement, including interest and skills acquired
• Geographic and relocation issues for education or job pursuit
• Socioeconomic factors: style of life, children, and vocational pursuits
• Adjustment process: based on presentation and marriage dissolution factors, determination of the individual’s capability to engage in work, or the need for supportive assistance (counseling to deal with loss, grief, anger issues) in conjunction with/or prior to work considerations
• Mitigation/motivation issues
• Age: in some cases may be an issue in employment, hiring or training.