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Conference quokka::non_custodial_parents

Title:Welcome to the Non-Custodial Parents Conference
Notice:Please read 1.* before writing anything
Moderator:MIASYS::HETRICK
Created:Sun Feb 25 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:420
Total number of notes:4370

293.0. "Alimonny, alimony, paying her bills......I wish she'd invest it in herself!" by NAVY5::SDANDREA (Velociraptor_dawg) Fri Jan 07 1994 16:09

    I did the regular search and checked with a comoderator and could not
    find a note on the topic of ALIMONY.  Here is a basenote for the
    discussion.
    
    I am wondering about how regulations work in states other than VA and
    SC.  I am paying alimony (spousal support) to an ex-wife who has 2.5 years
    of college, and a good history of employemnt; She now seems intent on being
    dependant on me and the welfare state of SC (she has been 'injured' at
    her place of employement twice now and has been on worker comp for
    nearly a year). My SC seperation agreement provides her with alimony until 
    my oldest daughter is emancipated, and she is trying to get it changed to 
    permanent (Daughter graduates this June).  There were no significant details 
    to our divorce, we married too young and grew apart; a common story.  
    Anyway, she contends that she 'deserves' permanent alimony after our 17 
    years of marriage, and my lawyer has not promised me that it won't 
    happen.....anybody have experience to share?  I pay child support for 
    my two daughters and have never missed a beat on any support payments.  
    I am going to test my seperation agreement and stop paying alimony this 
    June when oldest girl graduates.  Am I a bad guy for wanting my ex-wife 
    to scratch out her own living just like the rest of us?  She still lays 
    on the "you owe me"speech and ensure's my girls are in the middle, too.
    
    I'd feel better if I saw her trying to improve herself.......
    
    steve
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293.1AIMHI::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaFri Jan 07 1994 17:103
    1. You can write a motion to shoot the witch. Or....;) you can fight
    like crazy to show the system that she is a mooch. You offer her the
    option to finish college and thats all. 
293.2CSC32::HADDOCKDon't Tell My Achy-Breaky BackFri Jan 07 1994 17:386
    
    In Colorado the maximum time that they can award "spousal support" is
    5 years.  It gives them time to get their act together, then it's
    out into the cruel world.
    
    fred();
293.3SIETTG::HETRICKsome past life sister of my desireSat Jan 08 1994 23:4714
	  My divorce stipulation is that my ex-wife gets alimony for three
     years, which is (my attorney told me) considered a standard term for
     alimony in New Hampshire when alimony is awarded, which it usually is
     not.  The intent of alimony is to permit the ex-spouse to regain a
     position of self-support, where that position was lost as a result of
     dedicating work to the home rather than to a paying position.  As more
     of the same, I have to pay expenses she may incur taking graduate
     courses, should she pass the course, again with a three year time
     limit, and with a generous dollar amount cap.

	  However, a co-worker is paying alimony with no time limit, so
     such awards can happen.

				     Brian
293.4AIMHI::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaSun Jan 09 1994 19:366
    I have been told that Alimony was illegal or etc in New Hampshire.
    Again, count your lucky stars that its only three years. Be careful
    that it is only for three years. 
    
     
    mtb
293.5From the Massachusetts CourtSTOWOA::BROWN_KKEN BROWN DCC/CIS DESKTOP CONSULTANTSun Jan 09 1994 22:0716
	Ex gave up all rights to alimony at divorce agreement, however,
	this increased the amount of child support....Back in 1987.

	In 1991, I received temporary custody of my children, Judge 
	ordered six months of alimony to be paid.

	In 1992, after six months evaluation of children, Judge ordered
	payment of alimony for one year additional. Judge did not want
	ex to become a ward of the State! 

	Agreements aren't worth the paper they are drawn up on.

	Insight from a personal and expensive experience......

	Ken
293.6AIMHI::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaMon Jan 10 1994 11:013
    Ken,
    
    I thought that if your wife had a job, that she didn't qualify? 
293.7time will tell.....NAVY5::SDANDREAI wannabe the mayor of KalamazooTue Jan 11 1994 13:2715
    I guess the thing that bugs me is the old fashioned attitude of "she
    deserves alimony" since we were married so long.  I don't get the
    logic.  I invested as much as her in the marriage, I came out with alot
    less, and while we were married she started and quit college (with my
    support) at least 4 times.  She still contends that she will get
    awarded permanent alimony based on the fact that we were married so
    long and that her earning potential is lower than mine.  What??? 
    Nobody 'gave' me anything I have today.  I worked and scrapped to improve
    my lifestyle and I guess I feel my ex ought to do the same.
    
    I have heard that the South Carolina family courts are getting a little
    tougher on 'dependant' ex spouses with a 'poor me' attitude.  We'll
    find out this summer..........
    
    steve
293.8One Woman's Point of View.LJSRV2::JOHNSONWed Mar 02 1994 12:5111
    My two cents...as a woman, I never could understand it when my
    'sisters' put themselves in a position that clearly says, "I have
    no pride and choose to be dependent upon you for as long as possible."
    Even if it is considered a punishment to their former husbands, it's
    really a pathethic statement, and I always wonder about their apparent
    lack of self-esteem.
    
    I wish you luck, but perhaps you should be keeping your eyes open for
    a new husband for her!
    
    Karen
293.10and takes better care of herself.......NAVY5::SDANDREATonya wacked Jimmy HoffaThu Mar 03 1994 15:569
    >>I wish you luck, but perhaps you should be keeping your eyes open for
    >>a new husband for her!
    
    Thanks, Karen.
    
    On the subject of a new husband I'm afraid there's little hope until she regains
    some self esteem........
    
    Steve  
293.11YES!!!!QUOKKA::36922::SDANDREAPlonk, Roost, and Jam, what a country!Thu Apr 28 1994 11:2623
    My case finally came up in South Carolina court yesterday, on the
    complaints my ex filed against me last August regarding my alleged
    refusal to comply with certain terms of our seperation agreement. Her
    complaints were unfortunately based on what she "wished" our agreement
    says and not on fact.  She also included some untruths in the complaint
    that my lawyer uncovered thru the discovery process.  The bottom line
    is her complaint and defense was totally without substance and her
    lawyer was forced to advise her NOT to go into court, but rather settle
    outside in the lobby (thus saving face for him).  Bottom line:
    
    I am forever relieved of alimony payments.
    I am forever relieved of any obligation to provide her with medical or
    life insurance.
    I am not liable for any of her past or future medical expenses
    Child support for my oldest daughter ends in 4 weeks, forever.
    I agreed to pay $35 more per week in child support for my youngest
    daughter until next summer when she graduates.
    
    This settlement was beyond my wildest dreams. I can now get on with my
    life and help my daughters with theirs as my ex wife will hopefully get
    on with hers.  It's been a long 4 years.......
    
    steve
293.12QUOKKA::3737::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaThu Apr 28 1994 12:1310
    Congrads Steve! Count your blessings that it went the way it did. There
    is a man in Littleton New Hampshire who is paying child support to his
    non custodial ex wife. And he is to pay this for some time to come.
    Under normal cir, one would call this alimony or maintence. But she is
    married, and we know that if she re-marries that would be also illegal.
    But this is New Hampshire for you. 
    
    And remember when the elections start to happen and people start
    telling you what a civic minded, law abiding bunch of folks we have
    here in the state. Remember this man. 
293.13Good work. Thanks for letting us know.QUOKKA::29067::HADDOCKDon't Tell My Achy-Breaky BackThu Apr 28 1994 12:455
    
    Add my congratulations.  Goes to show that putting up a fight is
    is a pain in the &^%$, but often pays off.

    fred();
293.14incredible......QUOKKA::36922::SDANDREAI got yer huckleberry...Thu Apr 28 1994 13:034
    Thanks for the good cheer......my documenting EVERYTHING was a real
    blessing. I still can't believe it!
    
    steve
293.15California SCREAMING...QUOKKA::16616::DREHERSun May 01 1994 12:4423
    
    I'm in Southern California and looking for some HELP with my alimony
    situation.
    
    The root issue is that I am currently paying alimony for LIFE due to my
    ex-wife's claims of medical disabilities preventing her from working.
    
    I am seeking any resources that have addressed any similiar situation and
    successfully obtained a termination date of the alimony.
    
    Any pointers to lawyer's, men's groups, legal precedence, State
    legislatures, etc. would be very helpful.
    
    Please copy me on your reply at HIGHD::DREHER
    
    Tks,
    Jim.
    
    (P.S. Just for my own sanity, can anyone give me an understanding of
    "the other side"?  What gives a woman the right to receive support from
    me for life?  I can understand up to the length of the marriage but I
    simply am having difficulty in dealing with paying her for LIFE.)
    
293.16How long will the three years last ...QUOKKA::56517::GRAYFollow the hawk, and enjoy the view ...Mon May 02 1994 10:4920
       FWIW - While I was going through my divorce I read a document
       written by a judge about divorce.  I don't remember the name of
       the paper or the judge - but it took the position that divorce
       was not the termination of a relationship, but a means of allowing
       the people to separate so that one or both of them could marry
       some other person.  The paper was written with the idea that the
       man was responsible to support the children and the woman
       forever, even if he married again - it really scared me.

       My alimony (state of NH) was for 3 years, than it was extended
       for a few additional months (her and her boyfriend were moving
       and she needed a few extra dollars).  Every time I question a
       lawyer about this I get a lot of tap dancing and the impression
       that even thought she is remarried, she has the option of asking
       me for alimony anytime for the rest of my life, and if the judge
       feels that she needs the money (disability, bad luck, etc) and
       that I have it, then alimony can be reinstated.

       Richard
293.17become and activist for men's rightsQUOKKA::29067::HADDOCKDon't Tell My Achy-Breaky BackMon May 02 1994 12:1127
    
    re .15

    I'd start by bringing this situation to the attention of your state
    Senator and representative.  Especially in the light of "no fault"
    divorce.  I can understand laws that would prevent some jerk from 
    abandoning his seriously ill wife.  I've seen it happen.   I'm not 
    saying this is your case, but you asked what would justify this 
    situation.  However, I also think that there needs to be some serious 
    penalties for false accusation and false evidence.  Those penalties
    also need to be enforced.

    Second, I'd try to get evidence that she is not really disabled. 
    what type of activities (especially physical) does she participate
    in.  A photo or two of her boogying the night away with her beau
    can work wonders in court.  Maybe higher a private detective to
    follow her for a few days.  Sure private detectives are expensive,
    but so is paying alimony for the rest of your life.

    It may not fix the situation, but it may give you some satisfaction
    in fighting back.  Get enough guys fighting back, and the politicians
    will have to start listening sooner or later--or find another line of
    work.

    Even one in a million chance is infinately better than zero chance.
    
    fred();
293.18QUOKKA::3737::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaMon May 02 1994 13:1811
    If your out of the house, and she has a beau living with her. That can
    help your case too. As in are we subsidising not only her, but her,
    him,and them. .... 
    
    I will also vote a mens rights activist. There isnt enough of us to
    fight the limo liberals that are big in vesting our lives to someone
    who things we are all a bunch of nuckle draggen, nenderthas that take 
    some sort of sick pride of taking a poke at our ex's with our fist.
    
    p
    a
293.19How is your case going?QUOKKA::3737::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaTue May 03 1994 11:271
    
293.20more good news....what a month!QUOKKA::36922::SDANDREATonya Rodham Bobbit; the date from hellWed May 04 1994 12:354
    I just learned that my ex-wife is getting married in 2 weeks........I'm
    not surprised.
    
    8*)
293.21QUOKKA::3737::RAUHI survived the Cruel SpaWed May 04 1994 12:416
    Here is a real good one to watch. :) There is a guy here in dec, whose
    ex wife married just before the official date of the legal divorce.
    So, in essence, she was married to both men.:) There is a law 
    against this sort of poopie. Anyhow, guess your off the hook! And get
    a copy of this from the town records!:)