My uncle is paying $1,700 per week in alimony (Massachusetts, USA). Now he can't retire before 65, as he planned for his whole life.

my uncle makes a very decent income as the head of the loan department at a midsize Bank on the East Coast.

he has paid for everything since he met his ex-wife, he put her through college, all the way through her master's degree. paid for all the children through college, vehicles, nice homes, everything. And he saved meticulously, sacrificing for years. he wanted to retire at 55.

she divorced him and by law he is required to give her $1,700 per week until either she marries again, of which she has no intention, or she turns a certain age. (I forget if it's until she turns 65 or he does)

this is on top of her receiving 40% of his investments. 401k and numerous other financial vehicles he was smart enough to invest in.

this woman is a young (54) healthy, educated woman and it's okay to treat her like she's incapable of earning a very decent income.

I doubt there is any way out of this. but it's really frustrating to a man who wants to live a little finally, after working so diligently his whole life for everyone else.