alimony question for Lee

[Lee Borden]

Sure sounds like an alimony case to me. Understand, however, that I know nothing about Canadian law.

[raindrops]

lost....when you get a chance PM me .  Question for ya.

[pcake726]

I have left my common law marriage already.  He was nice enough to sign for my utilities and for apartment but I will be on my own from there.  My car is in his name.  He says he needs to get rid of it now.  I was paying for it.  Said he would buy my a $1500-$2000 vehicle.  Found reliable vehicle at $6,000.  Have to have $2000 down.  Now he says he can't do that.

I remember he had a best friend who got out of a common law marriage.  I recall him saying he did all these things for her, because she could have filed for divorce.  This was back awhile.  I wonder if that is why he is doing what he has for me.

Can I still get a common law marriage divorce?  Feel like I deserve a helluva lot more.  He makes $250,000.  They live in $300,000 home.  He drives a demo; has no car payment or insurance. Teenagers driving brand new cars.  I live on SSDI and Teacher Retirement. 

Lee, what can I do?  Or should I?

[Lee Borden]

First you'll need to find out how your state treats common law marriage. If you and he lived together in one of those states that recognizes common law marriage, and if you meet the standard for a common law marriage, you're as entitled as any wife would be.

However, the list of states that recognize common law marriage is a pretty short one. So the odds are against you for common law marriage. If that doesn't work, the other option is much gooshier, involving your trying to prove that you and he had an express or implied contract of some kind.

[Lee Borden]

If you're in Alabama, here's a little info about common law marriage: http://www.divorceinfo.com/alabamalaw.htm#CommonLawMariage. And yes, if you are married at common law, you're every bit as entitled as any wife would be.

[m_t]

pcake - it's rarely a good idea to have your real name posted on the 'Net. You might want to delete that out.

[Lee Borden]

I agree, m_t. I took the liberty of omitting it.

Pcake, you can find out all about my practice here: http://www.divorceinfo.com/alafamlawcenter.htm. I wouldn't be a good choice for you, however, because my practice is limited to couples who are able to be reasonably cooperative.

[paul281]

In Harris County, Tx, they use a chart for child support. In my case with 2 kids, I will be paying 25% of my monthly net. She probably won't get spousal support although she asked for it at mediation yesterday. She asked for $1000/ month and would pay for the utilities (which are about $1000). Its a awsh. The money all ends up in the same place............

[m_t]

In your above posts, you included your first and last name. If you look, you'll see that Lee replaced it with "name omitted"