perplexed re New York State alimony

[hogtied21]

What is the name of your state? New York
I make $165k per year, my wife makes $40k part time, but she has a nursing license and can make more.
Neither of us is in good health. I am 59 she is 54. Married 18 years. She filed for divorce. Her attorney is asking for $3400 per month alimony and to pay his legal fees ($5k). I believe that the alimony is excessive and considering my debts, more than I can afford.
Anyone have experience they can share?What is the name of your state?

[moburkes]

No experience, but if you want a chance of not having to pay, then you need an attorney.

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by hogtied21

What is the name of your state? New York
I make $165k per year, my wife makes $40k part time, but she has a nursing license and can make more.
Neither of us is in good health. I am 59 she is 54. Married 18 years. She filed for divorce. Her attorney is asking for $3400 per month alimony and to pay his legal fees ($5k). I believe that the alimony is excessive and considering my debts, more than I can afford.
Anyone have experience they can share?What is the name of your state?

You REALLY need an attorney. You could actually be subject to more alimony than that.
You also need to consider doing some downsizing. If you can't afford to live on 123k after paying alimony, you have some things out of wack.

[nextwife]

Originally Posted by LdiJ

You REALLY need an attorney. You could actually be subject to more alimony than that.
You also need to consider doing some downsizing. If you can't afford to live on 123k after paying alimony, you have some things out of wack.

You don't know that. If he's self-employed, for example, he may be paying a lot of money for health coverage. And he may be paying all the bills, many of which were wifes purchases- cars, house , mortgage, home equity loan, department store, TAXES, life insurance, auto, etc. etc. You have no idea what may be left after all their monthly debt, which, poster, perhaps you could agree to take all of, in exchange for no alimony. Their current housing costs could certainly be downsized, if that is a big chunk of their expenses.

You also need to attempt to include a provision, if alimony awarded, that allows your retirement, if desired, at 62, and an automatic alimony modification at retirement. After all, she's younger and able to keep working longer than you are.

[Bali Hai]

Originally Posted by hogtied21

What is the name of your state? New York
I make $165k per year, my wife makes $40k part time, but she has a nursing license and can make more.
Neither of us is in good health. I am 59 she is 54. Married 18 years. She filed for divorce. Her attorney is asking for $3400 per month alimony and to pay his legal fees ($5k). I believe that the alimony is excessive and considering my debts, more than I can afford.
Anyone have experience they can share?What is the name of your state?

You have $125k disparity in incomes. The judge COULD equalize the earnings and order you to pay her half of that amount.

You had better pray and pray often that you don't get saddled with a NYS judge like the one I had.