I am wondering if anyone has experience in getting a spousal support variance when there are no children involved, but one spouse is mentally ill?
My husband was married to his ex-wife for 11 years (in a relationship for 16). She was diagnosed with bipolar about in 1999 and his life has been living hell because of it. They have no children.
When they divorced in 2009, he agreed to pay 2500 a month in support for 10 years. He used a salary of 140,000 to base this on, and it was the salary used in the support formula. Since 2009, he took another job that paid 120,000.
Today he found out he is laid off, no severance package.
It seems like he makes a lot of money, but she did three school programs that he paid for - 60,000 in debt as well as consumer debt they acquired together. She took none of the debt with her.
So, since signing the agreement, his income will have dropped by 140,000.
However, she claims to not be able to work because of her mental health, yet refused to be identified as disabled. Which means we don't get to offset any of our payments with disability payments.
On top of it, she calls herself an artist, and has a resume online that shows she has exhibitions and even volunteers as at a community store. I am also pretty sure she has been teaching ESL under the table.
I don't envy her life. But we have a young daughter, a mortgage, plus all the debt payments from their marriage. Even trimming all bills and costs, we can't afford to pay her 2500 a month and still eat.
We are meeting a lawyer next week, but I guess I was looking for some advice from someone who is familiar with any aspect of our situation.
My husband was married to his ex-wife for 11 years (in a relationship for 16). She was diagnosed with bipolar about in 1999 and his life has been living hell because of it. They have no children.
When they divorced in 2009, he agreed to pay 2500 a month in support for 10 years. He used a salary of 140,000 to base this on, and it was the salary used in the support formula. Since 2009, he took another job that paid 120,000.
Today he found out he is laid off, no severance package.
It seems like he makes a lot of money, but she did three school programs that he paid for - 60,000 in debt as well as consumer debt they acquired together. She took none of the debt with her.
So, since signing the agreement, his income will have dropped by 140,000.
However, she claims to not be able to work because of her mental health, yet refused to be identified as disabled. Which means we don't get to offset any of our payments with disability payments.
On top of it, she calls herself an artist, and has a resume online that shows she has exhibitions and even volunteers as at a community store. I am also pretty sure she has been teaching ESL under the table.
I don't envy her life. But we have a young daughter, a mortgage, plus all the debt payments from their marriage. Even trimming all bills and costs, we can't afford to pay her 2500 a month and still eat.
We are meeting a lawyer next week, but I guess I was looking for some advice from someone who is familiar with any aspect of our situation.
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