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soveryweary posted 7/2/2013 16:26 PM

Just wondering if all states are different when awarding spousal support.
Am thinking of going with a one lawyer divorce, he doesn't want to involved a lawyer at all. Just a do it yourself. I don't trust him.
Plus, he told me he'd be damned if he'd pay me spousal support for more than five years. He makes 3 times what I do!1
Also, when I went to a lawyer 2 years ago he said sometimes a judge might take in to consideration the affair even though MI is a no fault state.
And we've been married almost 31 years which I think length of the marriage does come in to play.

josie11 posted 7/2/2013 16:46 PM

Spousal support guidelines are different for different states. My own state takes into consideration the length of the marriage, the financial and medical state of the spouses, the age of the spouse seeking support, the ability of the higher-earning spouse to pay, and so on.

hathnofury posted 7/2/2013 16:56 PM

It is different in every state. If your state is Michigan, there should be a standard formula used based on how long you were married, what your education levels are, how long you worked, your salaries, etc. that spits out a standard dollar amount for X number of months. The fact that you were married 31 years would work to your advantage, but might be offset if you have a graduate degree, earn a lot, etc. Any L should run the formula and give you the same numbers. Now the judge may decide to pay more or less than the formula if there are special considerations. A L should be able to tell you if any of your circumstances would apply.

I know Michigan is a fault state, but I forget how much that matters. It may just be you can make him pay for your L fees, etc.

IMHO if your income is that different from his and if there are any significant assets (or debts) at stake, it is critical you have a L represent you to protect your interests. Your WH can always represent himself to save money, if he wants.