Settlement Money

[ayresco]

What is the name of your state? Wyoming---Prior to my divorce 5 years ago, my ex-husbands place of employment, Eastern Wyoming College, was involved in a class action suit with other community colleges in the state dealing with equitable pay. This suit was finally settled last year and all employees were given a lump sum benefit and a raise in order for their pay to be more equitable with the pay of other community college employees in the state. We were married when this suit began and had plans for the money when, and if, the suit was settled. Do I have a right to any of the settlement money even though it was settled after out divorce?

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Wyoming---Prior to my divorce 5 years ago, my ex-husbands place of employment, Eastern Wyoming College, was involved in a class action suit with other community colleges in the state dealing with equitable pay. This suit was finally settled last year and all employees were given a lump sum benefit and a raise in order for their pay to be more equitable with the pay of other community college employees in the state. We were married when this suit began and had plans for the money when, and if, the suit was settled. Do I have a right to any of the settlement money even though it was settled after out divorce?

**A: and does your divorce decree and property distribution papers make any reference to this potential class action settlement? If not, why not?

 

[ayresco]

It is not mentioned in the property settlement agreement--There had been no forthcoming news regarding this suit, and I think that neither one of us thought that it would be settled and forgot about it.

 

[JETX]

Since it is not included in the settlement, you have no inherent 'rights' to it.