4 ms·
As someone going through a divorce right now I can say that these claims are wildly overstated, and in quite a few places completely incorrect. Permanent alimo
by obvs_throwaway 8y ago
As someone going through a divorce right now I can say that these claims are wildly overstated, and in quite a few places completely incorrect.
Permanent alimony is only awarded in 7 US states, and I know that at least in one of those, NJ, it's certainly not guaranteed and can be negotiated around. In the state I'm getting a divorce in and the state I'm currently living in the cap is 1/2 the term of the marriage.
Additionally divorce is a complex process that is largely about handling the cases where the two parties cannot agree. If both parties agree a divorce can be finished in an afternoon and the outcome can be whatever both parties agree to pay. But even in a highly contested divorce there is still a lot of room for negotiation. Even in states that allow permanent alimony this can be negotiated. It's pretty rare that your divorce won't settle before the final court date.
Furthermore, even if your ex-spouse is awarded permanent alimony, you can always go back to court if your earnings is severely limited. No court in the world is going to make you pay alimony based on a $100k income if you end up being forced to make $40k.
- dnautics 8y ago> "you can always go back to court if your earnings is severely limited" That's nontrivial. Court takes a lot of time.
- Gibbon1 8y agoCourt doesn't take time, documenting takes time.
- Gibbon1 8y agoYeah in California mostly it's about child support and division of property. No one gets permanent alimony. Also in the highly contested divorces I've seen up close, no one actually 'wins'
- ADent 8y agoSeems like in Colorado it can only last until full retirement age - 67.