Originally posted by Links17
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I think you have to remember that many people do not have the choice to not work after a long-term marriage rather they cannot. Rather than have these people who cannot be self-sufficient rely on publicly-funded welfare, the spouse is rightfully held responsible.
You have to look at a long-term marriage as a business arrangement. One person provides home/child care services and the other works outside of the home. This is mutually agreed upon so that some day they will both benefit and retire comfortably. When a long-term relationship ends the courts look to equalize things so both come out of the marriage on equal footing. SS often ends or is substantially reduced when the party who works out of the home retires or shows a substantial change in circumstances. It is important to also consider that not all long-term marriages result in a massive matrimonial estate and often people do not receive any money/assets/homes at the end of the marriage. In my situation my ex quickly drained the company assets into family and g/f's accounts and then went into personal bankruptcy. There was little to 'divide' and I was instead left with all of the company debt while my ex went on to merely start a new company with bank accounts under family and g/f's name.
My situation is certainly not unique. I am fortunate that I have the ability to support myself. Others aren't so fortunate. I may be entitled to indefinite support but I certainly cannot rely upon it. My ex looks for any and every opportunity to not pay me thus my being dragged to court 9 times in the past 4 years. I am certainly not a financial winner by any stretch of the imagination. My ex told me at the end of our marriage that he would see me a "bag lady on the street." With that in mind I believe he will continue to take me to court indefinitely. This is my reality.
So before labelling everyone who receives SS as undeserving, please pause and realize that every situation is different and every SS Order is based on its own unique facts and circumstances.
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