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Supporting the Ex-Husband
An increasing number of men now seek alimony payments from their ex-wives.
 
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Posted 9:32 AM EST December 28, 2006
Posted by: comment
My dentist cousin in the 80's divorced her husband and had to pay him alimony. So yes, the law is equal and it used. I also am the breadwinner, and while my husband is not a couch potato (nor would I let him be) I fully understand and expect the financial situation I will be in should we divorce. I know this is a result of equal treatment. And like so many have said - you have to take the good with the bad. It is what it is.
Posted 11:55 AM EST December 23, 2006
Posted by: AsIfICared
To suggest that women are even remotely likely to have to pay alimony to their divorced husbands, regardless of whether she was the bread winner or not, is pure fiction designed to make it appear there is an even playing field in the world of divorce and to suggest its been this way since the 1970s adds to this farce. Men & women both win if its a happy marriage, but in the event of divorce its a financial windfall for woman and a financial death sentence for men.
Posted 5:54 AM EST December 23, 2006
Posted by: vorbei
Was Amy willing to move for his career? Being an academic means -50K and 50+ hours a week (prep, research, committees -- ignore them and no tenure.) A job nearby? Doubtful. How about a tiny town hundreds of miles away? If he didn't have an honest conversation about this, shame on him. If she didn't listen, shame on her. The myth that academics work short hours and half years for a lot of money is true only for a few long-tenured people.
Posted 4:31 AM EST December 15, 2006
Posted by: clintonwilburn
In the mid-1980s, my parents divorced, and a judge ordered my mother to pay my father child support. My mother did not always pay child support, and she did not always pay it in full. However, few people, back then or even today, would dare to call her a 'dead-beat mom.'
Posted 3:49 PM EST December 08, 2006
Posted by: HardWorker
It is really a luxury to be as smug as BSSellers.Obviously you have never been in an abusive relationship in which the husband decides 15 years into it he would rather not work, likes to drink, and chases women young enough to be his daughter.I earned plenty, stayed in shape and have been a good mom.My sons are much better off with him gone.There are plenty of kids who go wrong who come from 'intact' families.Especially those with parents who think they know what is 'right' for everyone else.
Posted 12:56 PM EST December 08, 2006
Posted by: BSSellers
Read the book 'Legacy of Divorce' which tells you what happens to children after a divorce. It has been written with good research backing it up. If you make the decision to have kids, get your act together, stay together and raise your kids!!!!! This is the biggest problem in America today, not who pays alimony. 95% of the divorces should not happen. In many divorces, children go bad and you and I (the taxpayer) end up bearing the financial burden.
Posted 10:22 AM EST December 08, 2006
Posted by: res00mwd
The only way to keep everything equal is if you marry someone who makes the same amount of money you do and brings the same amount of assets to the table as you do........ Other then that, you are at the mercy of the courts and if you have never been at the receiving end of having income and/or assets imputed to you with absolutely no evidence, you will be in for a very rude awaking.
Posted 10:00 PM EST December 07, 2006
Posted by: pumacat
This is a very hot topic today. I am divorced father who pays child support. Although I lost quite a bit in my divorce settlememt, I don't think 'equalizing' the years of lopsided alimony payments is the right thing to do. If you are of age and healthly, you shouldn't recieve any support (man or woman). If you were fully supported by your mate and are now divorced you need to just adjust your lifestyle.

It is foolish not to seek financial responsiblity and independance.
Posted 1:13 PM EST December 07, 2006
Posted by: LONGDONG
It's great news to hear that a woman with means has to pay her fair share for leaving a marriage. I just wish that more of this was happening. Good for you. Enjoy the money.
Posted 10:20 AM EST December 07, 2006
Posted by: sundeck240
Ditto on the equal support issue. I lived the same situation and as a man it is great to see the playing-field start to level out, needs to continue. All men do not deserve to be handed two strikes before their turn at bat just due to their gender.
Posted 3:33 AM EST December 07, 2006
Posted by: equalizerman
Why is this even a story? Where is the article about the 38 year old man who has to support the ex wife? The problem in general is that women want 'equal rights' only when it is convenient to them! This is just one more way you have been set free ladies! You are woman hear you roar! Welcome to the man's world.
Posted 10:45 PM EST December 06, 2006
Posted by: rmurphy1971
This has been going on for years by wives that went to school and then divorced their husbands and were paid for their 'hardships'. I have felt that the estate should be 50/50 no matter what and then the primary care-giver (If children are involved), get child support only. Get a job and support yourself like thousands of mothers and fathers do without either. I'm one of them, its all me for my family.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas!
Posted 9:41 PM EST December 06, 2006
Posted by: chin8tao
What's really appalling is that women have been permitted to get away with this type of behavior for so long. It is about time that the playing-field was leveled.
Posted 7:18 PM EST December 06, 2006
Posted by: TFarnon
This is just plain appalling. This woman provided the financial support for her husband to obtain an advanced degree with a correspondingly increased earning potential. There was no reason for him to continue to be unemployed after graduation.
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