what will happen?

[havebe]

Here's the short story. Ex and I separated 6 years ago. I was ordered to pay the table amounts for cs and a huge amount of ss. plus all the debt from the marriage. She got the house.

Long story short even after fro subtracted the max every week, I was still $600.00 in arrears every month and unable to pay that due to the debt and just trying to live. After a couple of years of falling farther and farther behind, she finally agreed to lower the amount by the $600.00 as fro was going to suspend my license. For the last 2 years now we've been going on the new agreement that we worked out between us, but never put formally into writing. In this agreement she agrees that her spousal support will end next year.

She's 35 years old, healthy, and has been self-employed working approx 20hrs. a week. We have 2 kids, 12 and 9.

She has let me know that she now wants to go back to school. I just want to know, what the chances of her extending her ss due to going back to school? She has the impression that the judge will extend her support until she's done school.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Foredeck]

How long were you married?

Does she have full custody of the kids?

Do you know what she wants to take at school? Would it be a 12 month program or a 4 or 5 year university degree?

[havebe]

We were married 6 years. And I don't know what she wants to take

[Foredeck]

The norm for SS with no children involved is a min of half the marriage to a maximum of the length of marriage.

When children are involved, there is no maximum, and it depends on the situation. The judge will make sure that both parties are self sufficient before ending SS. However, there has to be an effort to get to this point. If she would not go out to try to get an education or get a job, the judge might decide to end it.

One of your argument could be that she should of started her education before the end of SS. This could be just a trick from her to extend SS beyond the previously agreed timeframe.

I am sorry, I doubt that you can get a straight answer on this question. It really depends on who is the judge and what mood he/she is in.

Have you read through the spousal support guidelines from the federal government? It doesn't say much, but you might find some good things in there.

[havebe]

You know, I understand what your saying, but why is it my responsibilty to make sure she's self suffiecient? In 6 years, she couldn't have found some way to better herself? working 20 hours a week for yourself and then whining that you need benefits and an education before the gravy train dries up is ridiculous! Again, I know it's not your fault, I'm just venting! What the hell is wrong with our judicial system?