Help!

[hurtman]

What is the name of your state? Ca

I need help! After 18 years of marriage, my wife decided she wanted to divorce me. This was in 2000. She was awarded a third of my future earnings in alimony payments for life. I've been paying her for over 7 years now and never missed a payment. Now she says that what I pay her is not enough for her to maintain her standard of living and is now saying she wants to go back to court to get her alimony increased. I've been paying her $2500 a month since 2000. Does she have a case, or am I worried over nothing?

[seniorjudge]

Check with your lawyer but usually alimony payments are not modifiable.

Tell her to get a job.

[Grandma's house]

I know that Alimony is called "spousal support" but like child support isn't it to assist support and not thoroughly support? Also...I wouldn't mind knowing if you could get an atty. and re-visit a life long award anyway...This doesn't even sound right. Now she wants a raise as if a job???
Anyone?

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by Grandma's house

I know that Alimony is called "spousal support" but like child support isn't it to assist support and not thoroughly support? Also...I wouldn't mind knowing if you could get an atty. and re-visit a life long award anyway...This doesn't even sound right. Now she wants a raise as if a job???
Anyone?

It's possible that his ex is disabled and that is the reason for the order. But unless is has a stip for modification I doubt she will be successful.

[Grandma's house]

Well if not disabled and if not a modifiable thing (regarding the amount) then what does OP have to lose in calling her bluff to re-open the case and try to get this changed on his behalf? Life long alimony is so OLD school.
Any chance?

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by Grandma's house

Well if not disabled and if not a modifiable thing (regarding the amount) then what does OP have to lose in calling her bluff to re-open the case and try to get this changed on his behalf? Life long alimony is so OLD school.
Any chance?

If the SS is not modifiable that would go both ways. He could have appealed the decision in 2000 but not now. I agree that SS is ridiculous for long term support. Unless of course there is a disability.

[Grandma's house]

OP...either she put you through college, or got your busi. going really well and was part of it in HUGE way or you picked a really bad atty. Typically 1/2 the years of the marriage for alimony is about right and even then 7-10 yrs. max is what I have seen.
Give some specifics.

A "raise"? I am still shaking my head.

[hurtman]

We were 22 when we were married shortly into it I did start up a business and she claims to have made a significant part in that. No, she isn't disabled but she says that because she was a homemaker during the marriage, I should be keeping her in the lifestyle she had become accustomed to. Hence the demand for more, she says that the cost of living has increased therfore her alimony payments should reflect that.

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by hurtman

We were 22 when we were married shortly into it I did start up a business and she claims to have made a significant part in that. No, she isn't disabled but she says that because she was a homemaker during the marriage, I should be keeping her in the lifestyle she had become accustomed to. Hence the demand for more, she says that the cost of living has increased therfore her alimony payments should reflect that.

Does you decree allow for a modification?

[hurtman]

Yes it did, but silly me thinking that because her alimony is very generous at a third of what I earn and the fact that when I get a pay increase, she does, that she just wouldn't be able to get a bigger percentage. But most people, admittedly not legal experts, say she could very well have a good case.

[Grandma's house]

Change the name of the busi. become a corp. you become an employee and fire her...lol
Just had to say it...Could not help myself. The modification in the decree question is a biggee.

[CourtClerk]

FYI... CA allows for lifetime support for long term marriages....

18 years certainly qualifies.

[Grandma's house]

A raise too?

[hurtman]

You're right, it cetainly doesn't help that we're in CA. She says what I pay her is simply no longer enough. I'm 48 and its such a scary thought that unless she remarries I'll be paying her a large slice of my future earnings for the next 30 years or more. The kids will be up and out of the house in 5 years or so, so surely she can get at least a part-time job. Are there many cases of a judge cancelling a permanent alimony award? Or is it a case of once such an order is in place it can't be overturned?

[Bali Hai]

Originally Posted by hurtman

What is the name of your state? Ca

I need help! After 18 years of marriage, my wife decided she wanted to divorce me. This was in 2000. She was awarded a third of my future earnings in alimony payments for life.

Must be nice to break a marriage contract and then expect a third of a persons earnings for life!! Some of these women have bigger brass balls than the men they are divorcing!!

I've been paying her for over 7 years now and never missed a payment. Now she says that what I pay her is not enough for her to maintain her standard of living and is now saying she wants to go back to court to get her alimony increased. I've been paying her $2500 a month since 2000. Does she have a case, or am I worried over nothing?

And now she's back wanting more booty from the contract that SHE broke.

And the sad part about this whole thing is the broke dick judge will probably give it to the idiot.

My advice is to tell her to go straight to the unemployment office and expect to pay your attorney fees if she decides to take her greed to court.