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  Posted to group - Money matters    <<Previous    Next>>

Temporary support w/o a separation agreement

I’ll try to be as brief as possible, but provide facts and details.  STXW filed for dissolution on 1/26 in our state of Florida.  We have been married for just over 11 years.  She was a stay at home mother the whole marriage.  We do have a slightly unusual arrangement.  Her mother lives with us. All 3 of us are on the deed and mortgage loan, and her mother pays 1/3 of all common household bills, which leaves the remainder of 2/3 for my STXW, my daughter, and I.  My soon to be 9 year old daughter was never factored into splitting for bill purposes.  I continued to live in the house until 3/30.  During this time period, I paid the full 2/3 of all the household bills plus 100% of car and credit card debt that is part of our marriage.  My lawyer has run the child support calculator and has determined that I will pay roughly $900 per month for child support.  My STXW does not have a full time job.  She does have a part-time job, which she started shortly after she filed for the dissolution.  At the time of discovery she could not provide income levels.  She's turned down at least 2 jobs that I am aware of.  She turned down a job at $8/hr becase it was beneath her, and she turned down a job of $10/hr as a telemarketer because she hates telemarketers.  She is still looking for a full-time job.  My lawyer is planning on imputing income to her.  He bases this on a few facts:  1) She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, 2) She is only 33 years old and in perfect health and fully capable of working.  3) Her mother will be able to assume “daycare” responsibilities at anytime, 4) Her mother is retired and also in good health.   We’ve been fairly amicable about the split.  I’ve created a budget based on actual bills that I’m receiving and there is about a $900 gap in my income to maintain 100% of the 2 households.  I’ve gone from living in a nice 3000 sq ft house w/pool to a 900 sq ft apartment.  I have many purchases yet to make…ie…dishes, pots, pans, kitchen appliances…etc.  It’s very hard and expensive starting from nearly scratch.  Bottom line is we did not have a separation agreement, yet she is expecting me to continue to pay the full 2/3 of the household bills plus 100% of the car and credit card debt.  For April, I have provided the full child support amount that my lawyer recommended I pay.  I’ve given her ½ of our 2/3 obligation for all household bills despite not living in the house, ½ of the car payment, and have paid 100% of the credit card debt.  I have also paid all my household bills as well, rent, cable, electricity, food, etc.  Needless to say, I dug into my savings to do all this, but can’t keep it up for very long.  I only have what would be considered 2 luxuries, lunch budget of $50 per week and extended cable for the tv.  Other than that, I’m not out partying or eating out for dinners.  What would be a fair percentage of "her house" bills to continue paying to her despite not having a separation agreement in place?  Temporary support hearing is not scheduled until May 22, and she refuses to talk $$ with me unless she has her lawyer.

by favman    19 Posts   
Posted on 4/23/2008 9:28 AM    
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Tags: Temporaty Support

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Answers for "Temporary support w/o a separation agreement"  (2) (You must be logged in to answer)




I commend you on being so accomodating - many would say to hell with you and not pay a dime until they have to.

 

If I were your attorney, I'd advise you to pay child support, making very sure to write CHILD SUPPORT on the memo line of the check and to never pay in a non-verifiable form - as child support is for a child's portion of home expenses as well. Then I'd suggest you pay 1/3 as that is your share based on your name being on the morgage/deed, . The credit card, you pay half of if you both are utilizing the account, none if you aren't.

this is more than fair.

 

Since your STBX is employed, she is capable of paying her own way on the house. The fact she hasn't gotten a full time job yet is not your problem.

Dont set a precendent you don't want to be stuck with - if you continue to pay all of it, you are going to have to continue.


I'm a family law attorney

by spaznskitz   2500 Posts
Posted on 4/24/2008 1:54 AM
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wow - it just shows you that two can live cheaper than 1+1!  I agree with you, you can only do so much and savings is not an option that most of us have long-term!  what did your lawyer say?
by oct15   174 Posts
Posted on 4/23/2008 8:30 PM
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