How does alimony work?

lemmingsrevenge · 2020-08-15T00:12:52+00:00

All that really matters is if she gets it. You can use zelle which is connected to your bank account. Just make sure you keep records that you're sending it.

4agreements · 2020-08-15T01:12:23+00:00

You may be able to give her a lump sum from the sale of property/ house instead of paying her over the next so many years. It all depends on her income vs your income, If she has any medical issues and how much training it will take for her to earn a comparable salary.

She may be willing to take more of your retirement instead of monthly payments. Often your employer can garnish your wages for you.

SpacemanLost · 2020-08-15T07:02:31+00:00

You filed in TX, so a court/judge will issue a final decree of divorce in Texas. That decree will spell out the amount and duration of payments you will have to make, as well as the division of debts and assets.

Texas doesn't not have Alimony - they have 'spousal maintenance' instead, which is capped at either 5 or 7 years for long term marriage (the idea being it lets her 'get back on her feet' but not 'support her for life'). If you were in some other states, you'd be hook paying until she dies (not until you die.. your estate would still be responsible).

I remember there being something like a guideline of 20% of your take-home for spousal maintenance in TX, but I'm not sure. In the end, it will come down to what you two agree on, and if you don't agree you'll have to fight it out in front of a judge and let them decide. If that's agreeable to you, you might start mentioning it 'the state guideline is X' discretely in conversation to her to get her thinking that if she wants to go for more it will be lawyer intensive and burn up cash/assets that otherwise you two would split. i.e. appeal to her greed.

Thankfully you don't have kids.

The states themselves DO not handle the Alimony payments. They do for child support, but for alimony you will be paying her directly. There will likely be language in your decree that reads:

IT IS ORDERED that Corndog20205 is contractually obligated to pay and shall pay $xxxx.xx per month to [ex's name] with the first payment being due and payable on [date] and a like payment of $xxxx.xx per month due and payable by the last day of each month thereafter for sixty (60) consecutive months, expiring Nov 2025, or the earliest one of the following events occur:

1 death of either Petitioner or Respondent; or

2 remarriage of Petitioner

IT IS ORDERED that each monthly spousal maintenance payment shall be made directly to [her name] at her last known address.

With the correct numbers, dates and names for your situation filled in.

Kipper1971 · 2020-08-15T03:01:45+00:00

I use Zelle to send her the money. Goes between checking accounts. We're both with Chase, but it works from other banks, too. You can set up recurring payments and even put in the number of payments you have to make. It's easier if you can manage the situation and not have to have salary deductions.

jpgtsi · 2020-08-15T17:17:01+00:00

Hey, trust me on this, get your lawyer involved heavily on this issue. It will impact you greatly today and in the future.

jimsmythee · 2020-08-16T06:59:24+00:00

Ok, if you get stuck with an order of alimony, the first (and best) choice for the state from your "affidavit of financial information" is for an order of with-holding from your employer. In that it comes directly out of your paycheck and from there goes to the family court clearinghouse (or whatever Texas calls it) and then it goes to your exwife.

If you are a 1099 employee, then it would be a check you mail and keep records of. If you miss payments, she takes you to court, etc and goes from there.

If you are hurt, or lose your job, or other situations, the best thing to do is to go back to court ASAP and request a re-evaluation. If it is temporary inability to pay, then the court will give you leeway to get caught up.

adl3026 · 2020-08-15T00:58:12+00:00

It all depends on the state you are in and what you agree to. I am paying my ex by a wire transfer on the first of the month.

Title	How does alimony work?
Author	Corndog20205
Upvotes	5
Comments	10
Date	August 15, 2020 12:03 AM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/i9xegl/how_does_alimony_work/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/how-does-alimony-work.1195901 https://theredarchive.com/post/1195901

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