Let's talk Alimony

[Cybercowboy]

I figure the alimony laws are about as much in men's favor as child support and custody laws are. Essentially there is very little upside for a man to get married in this day and age. It's almost as if...

[badbirdcage]

Originally Posted by ConstantChange

A buddy of mine has posted two articles on Google+ about alimony this week...

Should alimony laws be changed? ? USATODAY.com

The New Art of Alimony

One example from the articles...



To me, alimony laws are insane. The idea of still having to support an ex-spouse until they die is ludicrous. So things didn't work out and now you have to get a job or can't maintain your lifestyle...big deal...that's called life.

In some cases I can see where alimony is legitimate, but it should be limited to 1-3 years max. That's enough time to figure out what you're going to do going forward.

The idea of marriage is great, but the reality of it in many cases is a complete nightmare.

What do you guys think?

It sounds like quite the bad deal. If everything is, in fact, as presented then the written document from the divorce carries no authority. As such, the modified document should also carry no authority and the husband should not be required to obey it.

[snide]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

I figure the alimony laws are about as much in men's favor as child support and custody laws are. Essentially there is very little upside for a man to get married in this day and age. It's almost as if...

It is a trap. The women's version of The American Dream is to ensnare some wealthy dude, marry him, spend all his money, divorce him, then continue to suck the teat as long as possible.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

The women's version of The American Dream is to ensnare some wealthy dude, marry him, spend all his money, divorce him, then continue to suck the teat as long as possible.

And now a word from our "Women are the root of all evil" sponsor.

[pappytinker]

Originally Posted by island14

No alimony, no plates, no taxes?

2 out of 3 ain't bad. - Meat Loaf

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by pappytinker

I moved to the state where I currently reside specifically because they have no alimony. (I knew that a divorce was not too far away back then) An equitable split of marital assets is required but no alimony. (child support is required and calculated by the court).

THIS. Move to Texas. File here. No alimony.

Originally Posted by ft laud mike

Same could be said for child support. The amounts are totally arbitrary (from seeing several friends go through this)

There is a set sliding scale here in Texas based on income and number of children.

[oyealiz]

Originally Posted by snide

It is a trap. The women's version of The American Dream is to ensnare some wealthy dude, marry him, spend all his money, divorce him, then continue to suck the teat as long as possible.

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

THIS. Move to Texas. File here. No alimony.

There is a set sliding scale here in Texas based on income and number of children.

If the dad keeps the kids, but pays child support, though, isn't that the same thing as alimony?

***

I'm sure there are cases where alimony is justified, even for long periods of time.

What blows my mind is the stories in these articles where the divorce and the agreement are long since done and then someone comes back and the courts change the agreement to include alimony. How in the heck can they do that????

That would mean noone's divorce agreement is ever really "final."

[Broken Wind]

The state I was living in at the time said that if you could prove marital infidelity, the ex wife could not collect alimony. I pay none.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

That would mean noone's divorce agreement is ever really "final."

I question whether the original "No Alimony" agreement was a handshake agreement, or a legal document.

If the two parties mutually agreed but didn't get it in writing and signed by a judge, he's an idiot and she is a conniving wench.

[HeatherO]

Originally Posted by snide

It is a trap. The women's version of The American Dream is to ensnare some wealthy dude, marry him, spend all his money, divorce him, then continue to suck the teat as long as possible.

you forgot "squeeze out a kid"

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by oyealiz

If the dad keeps the kids, but pays child support, though, isn't that the same thing as alimony?

I'm just saying what the law is, not interpreting it based on what I think should be.

[cmb396]

My good friend just lost his house b/c of his slut ex wife that he's paying 1500/month to for alimony. She's a pos and was bangin every dude coming and going. Now, he's paying her that, plus child support and he's living like a popper, all while she's shackin up with a guy he works with a Dupont!! Feel bad for the guy!

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Thank goodness I have never had to deal with this issue. However, if I HAD to pay alimony and it left me with a standard of living I couldn't deal with, ala losing my home and sleeping on a buddies sofa? She can have 50% of my wage at McDonald's.

OR, I would skip to Mexico and find a job with "Alejandro's Dive Shop" filling SCUBA tanks.

I have no problem with fair, but destroying a guy changes the game a lot.

[Mike Mercury]

[oyealiz]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

I'm just saying what the law is, not interpreting it based on what I think should be.

I didn't ask for alimony. Had no idea I could try to get some now.

Incidentally, Florida law has been changed since my divorce. It does say that it does NOT retroactively apply to old agreements, though.

Recent Amendments to Florida Alimony Laws | Men's Divorce Law Blog

[snide]

Originally Posted by oyealiz

I didn't ask for alimony. Had no idea I could try to get some now.

Incidentally, Florida law has been changed since my divorce. It does say that it does NOT retroactively apply to old agreements, though.

Recent Amendments to Florida Alimony Laws | Men's Divorce Law Blog

You could take that douchebag to court again, but then you'd have that douchebag back in your life again.

Go for it!

[GEODON]

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO

Alimony itself is bullsh*t for the most part in today's society. With women working now (as compared to a very few who worked when it was created) the original intent is completely gone.

Its not about them working now. Women don't want to work. The fact that in todays society where a man is left with nothing and the chic gets it all tells you how a woman looks at marriage. How many women you know heard them say, you know what, its not fair for guys to be left with nothin if there is a fallout. Yea their "advanced" but when it comes down to it past the unicorns and castles stage they look at it like a business decision. It isn't that the people who make these laws don't know what their doing. Its that they understand what women want and why they do things. Plus it'll keep them off public assistance.

[ConstantChange]

I'm still trying to figure out why most people WANT to get married. If you're not religious, what's the point? Do you get tax breaks? Is it so your S/O gets your stuff when you die?

[Me2]

When my 1st husband and I went thru the divorce in PA, we specifically had it written in the divorce that neither one of us would be able to lay claim to anything of the other's once the divorce was final. This included material possessions and money.

[kingpin]

Originally Posted by ConstantChange

I'm still trying to figure out why most people WANT to get married. If you're not religious, what's the point? Do you get tax breaks? Is it so your S/O gets your stuff when you die?

Even if you don't get married there is common-law is there not?