A recent study from America has found that more women than ever are paying alimony and child support to their former partners following divorce, reports the Chicago Tribune.

A survey of divorce lawyers by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 56% reported a growth in the number of American mothers paying child support, and 47% reported an increase in women paying alimony to their former husbands.

Alton Abramowitz, the president-elect of the AAML commented: "It shows that women have really moved up financially and that in many instances they are the major bread winners in a lot of families."