Conway, Scanlan & Associates Ltd.

Matrimonial Vocational Evaluation

Conway Scanlan & Associates Vocational Experts can assess to determine realistic expectations of a spouse's present and future employability, place-ability, and earning capacity which can help expedite settlement of the case.

This evaluation can be used to determine a spouse’s earning potential as well as the following:

A realistic time frame for finding work.
Availability of work within a geographic area.
The efforts of the individual in seeking employment, establishing self-employment, or exploring career options.
The estimated costs and duration of education or training for future career options.
How factors such as age, and physical or emotional health may impact employability actual versus potential earnings.

In cases of divorce in which a spouse has been out of the workplace for a number of years, we analyze education and prior work history along with the local labour market. This helps determine whether there is need for further education and training to help position the individual as a marketable candidate in a competitive labour force. If all prior work history lies within a profession or industry for which there is little opportunity, our evaluation will determine employability through the use of a labour market survey. From that evaluation, we can provide a reasonable expectation of earnings.

Change of Financial Circumstances

After a divorce has been settled, an assessment of a spouse may be made due to a loss of a job, a new career, injury, or relocation. An evaluation of the effects of these life changes on the spouse's employability and earnings can be made based on a transferable skills analysis and local labour market research, and will detail the spouse's new earning capacity.

Spousal Considerations

Unemployed Spouse

Underemployed Spouse

Many spouses have been out of the competitive labor market due to their responsibilities of child care. An evaluation can be made regarding their ability to use their previous education, skills, and past employment to return to the local labor market. The evaluation determines the spouse’s highest level of employability and future earning capacity in the local labor market given their past education, work history, skills, and vocational capacity. The judge can use the information gained from the earning capacity assessment to impute the spouse’s income.

Underemployed Spouse

Due to layoffs, downsizing, or a poor economy, it’s not unusual for a spouse to be laid off from a job or to be working in a job that is not consistent with their past education and/or work experience. A vocational evaluation can assist in the determination of the persons highest earning capacity in the labour market.

Disabled Spouse

Underemployed Spouse

Disabled Spouse

If a spouse states that their medical or psychological disability will prevent them from being employed, an employability evaluation can assess their vocational capacity and their ability to be competitively employed. This assessment consists of a review of the medical records, a vocational diagnostic interview if determined, vocational testing, analysis of the spouse’s transferable skills, and research as to what the person can earn in the competitive labour market.