Boogiewipes
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
6 year marriage
Pretrial just wrapped up and the judge said he was thinking guideline alimony of $3300/mo (30% of my gross) and $400/mo in child support (Illinois actually has the custodial parent pay support to the non-custodial parent at times). I was recommended as the custodial parent by the GAL and judge. STBX has a 4 year degree but was imputed no income due to bring a SAHM until the divorce started (I've had custody for over a year due to some issues STBX has). In Illinois, lifetime alimony is available after a 5 year marriage. The judge threw me a bone by recommending the alimony terminate at 2.6 years.
Here's my problem, that possible award only leaves me with $1644/mo to live on including paying back the $65,000 in debt this divorce has put me in. That's impossible. I would have to default on all unsecured debt or refuse to pay the alimony.
My debt service is about $1000/mo. Chapter 13 would be a similar amount of payment. I failed the chapter 7 means test. The only debt I have is legal fees on credit cards, arrears to my attorney and GAL, and court ordered attorney fees to the GAL and opposing counsel.
Assets are $200,000 in my 401k and two cars worth a combined $12,000. STBX already has the nicer car worth $10,000.
Is there anything I can do to encourage STBX to negotiate a lower amount? What's my strategy going forward?
I'm all ears for any options you see. I'm being forced into a situation where my daughter and I will have to survive via food pantries while my Ex will have the equivalent of a $60,000yr job to sit on her butt and continue her addictions. I'm having difficulty reconciling this.
6 year marriage
Pretrial just wrapped up and the judge said he was thinking guideline alimony of $3300/mo (30% of my gross) and $400/mo in child support (Illinois actually has the custodial parent pay support to the non-custodial parent at times). I was recommended as the custodial parent by the GAL and judge. STBX has a 4 year degree but was imputed no income due to bring a SAHM until the divorce started (I've had custody for over a year due to some issues STBX has). In Illinois, lifetime alimony is available after a 5 year marriage. The judge threw me a bone by recommending the alimony terminate at 2.6 years.
Here's my problem, that possible award only leaves me with $1644/mo to live on including paying back the $65,000 in debt this divorce has put me in. That's impossible. I would have to default on all unsecured debt or refuse to pay the alimony.
My debt service is about $1000/mo. Chapter 13 would be a similar amount of payment. I failed the chapter 7 means test. The only debt I have is legal fees on credit cards, arrears to my attorney and GAL, and court ordered attorney fees to the GAL and opposing counsel.
Assets are $200,000 in my 401k and two cars worth a combined $12,000. STBX already has the nicer car worth $10,000.
Is there anything I can do to encourage STBX to negotiate a lower amount? What's my strategy going forward?
I'm all ears for any options you see. I'm being forced into a situation where my daughter and I will have to survive via food pantries while my Ex will have the equivalent of a $60,000yr job to sit on her butt and continue her addictions. I'm having difficulty reconciling this.