If you cant pay alimony for months due to job situation..

jimsmythee · 2023-08-18T18:18:58+00:00

They (luckily) don't do jail time for unpaid alimony anymore. Child support yes, alimony no.

If you can't pay, nothing will happen until your exwife files a "motion for contempt" for you not paying. You'll get a summons and the judge will ask you why you're not paying. And then the judge will ask you if you can sell some stuff to get ahead? Ask you to get a part time job, or any job to continue paying. Blah blah blah, yadda yadda kaput.

The most a judge can do is hold tax refund moneys and car registration and driver's license.

berniefl44 · 2023-08-18T18:50:26+00:00

Alimony should be thrown out anyway . It’s like from the pre historic days. Why not just get fucking rid of it all together… fuck ‘em

azwildcat74 · 2023-08-18T18:01:48+00:00

You have to petition the court for a modification.

CRobinsFly · 2023-08-18T23:24:22+00:00

If you lose your job or the ability to pay, you need to file for a modification immediately because the courts take time and it is an acknowledgement that you recognize the obligation but cannot comply.

The timeline (90 days) for being thrown into jail because of it is wrong imo. I have seen several outrageous court hearings that despite a contempt charge, the guy didn't go to jail because of it (at least not right then). It takes a long time for the courts to process stuff and some judges do use some logic - how would someone pay off a debt from inside prison?

Furthermore, while not legal advice, if I were in that situation I might gode the judge and just say "I'm so broke that I am homeless and need medical care, please just send me to jail so at least the burden for my care is placed on the taxpayers instead of me." Don't do this though because they'd probably do it.

Dismal_Elevator_110 · 2023-08-18T19:40:39+00:00

did they take it out your check how did you pay the $1500 before

Snowbirdy · 2023-08-18T23:05:07+00:00

It really depends on how acrimonious your relationship was. After I got divorced my job changed to consulting work that had six month intervals between payments. My ex let me skip and then catch up.

Creative-Drop1816 · 2023-08-19T02:11:34+00:00

I can confirm that in MN there is no jail time for Alimony, but you can most definitely go to jail for missing your child support payments. It is rare, but I have seen it happen. The courts will sometimes keep them in custody on cash bail only in the amount of what they owe in back support. You have to prove you can't pay it and if you can and they find out they will force it out of you one way or the other.

Sea-Mission-6316 · 2023-08-18T18:03:46+00:00

You will very likely get dragged into court and could end up in jail if you can't pay it. You can try to have it modified, but don't bet on it actually happening. The courts tend to want money to exchange hands.

pk2at · 2023-08-18T18:23:09+00:00

Don't listen to comments, no one is thrown in jail for not paying alimony without giving you a chance to defend (the type of punitive actions mentioned are extremely rare). Stop paying right away and let her take action, then you can attempt to modify

champybaby · 2023-08-19T14:27:47+00:00

Heard a story once on how someone from the UK was sent to jail because he couldn’t pay. Like, how does that solve the problem and, wtf?!

Title	If you cant pay alimony for months due to job situation..
Author	koolaidkid12345
Upvotes	16
Comments	23
Date	August 18, 2023 5:45 PM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/15ur7v0/if_you_cant_pay_alimony_for_months_due_to_job/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/if-you-cant-pay-alimony-for-months-due-to-job.1228958 https://theredarchive.com/post/1228958

Comments