- Each spouse’s financial resources and earning capacity.
- The time and expense required for the dependent spouse to acquire adequate education or training to become self-supporting.
- The standard of living established during the marriage.
- Duration of the marriage.
- Age, physical condition, and emotional health of both parties.
- Contributions to the marriage—both financial (e.g., income, asset accumulation) and non-financial (e.g., homemaking, child care).
- Whether the spouse seeking support lacks sufficient property or liquid assets to meet reasonable needs.
- All sources of income available to the spouse seeking support, including potential earnings.
Crucially, Georgia courts do not consider gender in awarding alimony. Instead, they assess whether the requesting spouse cannot maintain the marital standard of living with their own resources. Thus, despite the longstanding notion that alimony flows from man to woman, Offset’s gender cannot disqualify him—only a lack of genuine need can.
Cardi B’s financial profile underscores why Offset may struggle to prove need. According to Forbes, Cardi’s net worth in 2024 exceeded $50 million. Her revenue streams include hit albums, touring, digital content monetization, endorsement deals with luxury brands, and her own fashion collaborations. In comparison, Offset earned an estimated $10 million in 2024 from Migos royalties, solo projects, concert tours, and endorsements. While $10 million is substantial, the disparity between their incomes complicates Offset’s argument that he lacks sufficient means.
Legal analysts note that to establish need, Offset must show that his reasonable monthly expenses—covering housing, transportation, childcare, and attorney fees—exceed his net available income. If he retains ownership stakes in Migos publishing rights, continues to earn residuals, or expects future touring revenue, a judge may impute additional income. Even if Offset pauses his music career to focus on parenting, Georgia courts often impute income based on prior earnings and market demand. A failure to demonstrate a bona fide shortfall undermines the alimony claim.
Offset’s filing unleashed a torrent of social media commentary highlighting a perceived double standard. Many fans swiftly condemned any suggestion that a man with a history of infidelity and substantial earnings deserves support. “Men shouldn’t ask for alimony, period,” one commenter argued. “That’s not how the world works.” Another insisted, “He’s a millionaire. If he can’t pay for himself, what’s wrong with him?” These sentiments reflect a deep-seated bias that suggests a man’s pursuit of alimony is tantamount to emasculation—a notion at odds with Georgia’s gender-neutral statute.
Yet family law practitioners caution against conflating public opinion with legal reality. “The law in Georgia does not distinguish between genders when awarding alimony,” says Atlanta attorney Laura Thompson. “A spouse—male or female—that meets the statutory criteria can receive support. It is not a matter of social norms but of documented need.” Dissatisfaction with this principle fuels the double standard debate, as critics contend that men who stay home, care for children, or pivot careers deserve equal consideration if they genuinely need financial assistance.
Offset’s filing also seeks joint physical and legal custody, with shared decision-making on education, healthcare, and extracurriculars. Georgia courts generally favor joint custody if it serves the children’s best interests and both parents can provide stable environments. Offset’s proposal designates Cardi’s home as the primary residence, allowing him flexibility to maintain his career and parental involvement. This arrangement could bolster his argument that the children’s needs will remain met without disrupting their schooling and social routines.
However, if Offset argues that he needs alimony to support his parenting responsibilities—such as hiring childcare or securing stable housing near Cardi’s neighborhood—a judge may scrutinize whether those expenses exceed his documented income. Courts typically require a detailed parenting plan, including visitation schedules, holiday rotations, and provisions for emergencies. Any hint that Offset prioritized financial gain over consistencies in the children’s lives could disadvantage him in both custody and support decisions.
Family law experts note that Offset’s case exemplifies the gender-neutral intent of Georgia’s alimony statutes, yet underscores a broader cultural hesitancy to accept men as alimony recipients. “The law does not prohibit men from receiving spousal support,” explains CPA Marcus Lee, a forensic accountant specializing in divorce. “But societal expectations often say men should always be providers, not recipients. When a high-earning male asks for support, public backlash can be swift and overwhelming, even though legally his claim is as valid as any spouse’s.”
Attorney Laura Thompson adds, “Offset’s challenge will be demonstrating actual financial need—something most male alimony claimants can establish if they sacrificed career opportunities to support a spouse’s success or focus on childcare. In Offset’s situation, though, he maintained a robust career throughout the marriage, making it harder to prove need.”
What’s Next?
As discovery concludes, both sides will present detailed financial statements, tax returns, and expert testimony. If mediation can bridge the gap—perhaps by offering Offset a transitional lump-sum payment or a capped monthly stipend—both parties may avoid a drawn-out trial. Should negotiations fail, Georgia’s family court will schedule hearings to adjudicate contested issues: precisely how much, if any, support Offset deserves; whether joint custody can proceed under the proposed terms; and what provisions will ensure the children’s welfare.
Regardless of the outcome, this divorce battle has illuminated a divisive cultural conversation: do men face an unfair stigma when seeking alimony? If Georgia’s need-based statutes prevail as the guiding principle, Offset’s gender alone should not bar him from relief. Instead, his case will hinge on whether he can prove that, despite substantial past earnings, his current resources fall short of meeting reasonable needs without spouse support.
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