Alimony Calculations/weights?

[rixoff]

What is the name of your state? GA

I understand from what I have read that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to determine the amount of alimony that might be granted by a judge in any given situation. I am wondering though if there is a way to estimate a range, or to determine what factors would be weighed the most in this determination? My sitatuions:

I make $80,000/yr. Married less than 2 years. Renting a house. One car loan is in my name, as is a second car we own free and clear. She is a stay at home mom. She has the capacity to work but is probalby not likely to earn more than $30,000/yr. child care expenses are not likely with her wonderful parents living nearby. Everything of consequence that we do own is in my name, though since we don't own a house that's limited to the cars pretty much.

I am almost certain we would be able to settle on spousal support should we have to go down this road, but I want to try to have some idea of range of payment/length of payment expected to make sure that we arrive at a fair settlement.

Thanks.

[Ohiogal]

Short term marriage does not qualify for alimony. She will receive child support if she has custody of the child. And even if she doesn't have full custody she may very well receive some child support. When it comes to child care, you cannot count on her parents to provide it on a daily basis. If she wants child care at an accredited facility or from another third party, you will be more than likely ordered to pay some of it. And child support is set by state statute.

[nextwife]

DON"T agree to spousal support for a TWO year marriage!

[AlexandriaDumas]

Every state is different, but here in California, if there is a disparity in the earnings of the parties, for a short-term marriage alimony is usually set for one-half the length of the marriage. In your case, here in California, with the approximate incomes you listed, child support would be about $800 (if you had the child 20% of the time) and spousal support would be about $450. This is just to give you some kind of feel for the numbers. You really should go see an attorney for better information.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by AlexandriaDumas

Every state is different, but here in California, if there is a disparity in the earnings of the parties, for a short-term marriage alimony is usually set for one-half the length of the marriage. In your case, here in California, with the approximate incomes you listed, child support would be about $800 (if you had the child 20% of the time) and spousal support would be about $450. This is just to give you some kind of feel for the numbers. You really should go see an attorney for better information.

CA has nothing to do with GA, and this merely confuses the original poster. And there is NO reason he should agree to alimony/ss for a 2 year marriage.

[AlexandriaDumas]

Originally Posted by Silverplum

... there is NO reason he should agree to alimony/ss for a 2 year marriage.

There is NO reason? How about these reasons? He's a decent human being and wants to give his ex-wife help getting on her feet and back in the job market. She's the mother of his child and he actually wants to help her succeed and be happy and not worry, at least in the short term. Maybe it will help to keep things amicable. Maybe he's not cheap. There could be a lot of reasons.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by AlexandriaDumas

There is NO reason? How about these reasons? He's a decent human being and wants to give his ex-wife help getting on her feet and back in the job market. She's the mother of his child and he actually wants to help her succeed and be happy and not worry, at least in the short term. Maybe it will help to keep things amicable. Maybe he's not cheap. There could be a lot of reasons.

Or he's a sucker.

[Gracie3787]

Originally Posted by AlexandriaDumas

There is NO reason? How about these reasons? He's a decent human being and wants to give his ex-wife help getting on her feet and back in the job market. She's the mother of his child and he actually wants to help her succeed and be happy and not worry, at least in the short term. Maybe it will help to keep things amicable. Maybe he's not cheap. There could be a lot of reasons.

He can do all that if he wishes- without it being court ordered.

[Gracie3787]

Originally Posted by rixoff

What is the name of your state? GA

I understand from what I have read that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to determine the amount of alimony that might be granted by a judge in any given situation. I am wondering though if there is a way to estimate a range, or to determine what factors would be weighed the most in this determination? My sitatuions:

I make $80,000/yr. Married less than 2 years. Renting a house. One car loan is in my name, as is a second car we own free and clear. She is a stay at home mom. She has the capacity to work but is probalby not likely to earn more than $30,000/yr. child care expenses are not likely with her wonderful parents living nearby. Everything of consequence that we do own is in my name, though since we don't own a house that's limited to the cars pretty much.

I am almost certain we would be able to settle on spousal support should we have to go down this road, but I want to try to have some idea of range of payment/length of payment expected to make sure that we arrive at a fair settlement.

Thanks.

I agree with the other poster's answer- don't agree to pay alimony through court. If you want to assist your ex you are free to do so, however don't make the mistake of it being court ordered because then you won't have any leeway if something happens and you can't or no longer want to pay.

[Ohiogal]

Originally Posted by AlexandriaDumas

There is NO reason? How about these reasons? He's a decent human being and wants to give his ex-wife help getting on her feet and back in the job market. She's the mother of his child and he actually wants to help her succeed and be happy and not worry, at least in the short term. Maybe it will help to keep things amicable. Maybe he's not cheap. There could be a lot of reasons.

Good grief. Ex wife can get a job at McDonald's. He can pay child support. What was wife doing BEFORE the 2 year marriage? There are dozens of things she can do. But in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM should someone agree to alimony after a two year marriage. it is not legally required.

[nextwife]

Originally Posted by Ohiogal

Good grief. Ex wife can get a job at McDonald's. He can pay child support. What was wife doing BEFORE the 2 year marriage? There are dozens of things she can do. But in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM should someone agree to alimony after a two year marriage. it is not legally required.

AGREED! What choices did she make BEFORE she married him? Her lack of greater earning capacity isn't his fault or his responsibility. She had just as much right to choose to develop and learn a career/profession before she married as he did!

Because she's a WOMAN, she has to have somebody else take care of her, even if they'd barely been together long enough to unwrap the wedding presents?? How insulting to women!!!!!

[Bali Hai]

Originally Posted by nextwife

AGREED! What choices did she make BEFORE she married him? Her lack of greater earning capacity isn't his fault or his responsibility. She had just as much right to choose to develop and learn a career/profession before she married as he did!

Because she's a WOMAN, she has to have somebody else take care of her, even if they'd barely been together long enough to unwrap the wedding presents?? How insulting to women!!!!!

I believe greed overcomes insults in the human hierarchy of needs.

If one can gouge money out of someone else with the courts blessing, why not?? If the court says it's ok to do that, then it MUST be ok!!