Mess wid Jimmy da Bull and you get da horns...Score for guys going thru a divorce

[Dueller]

New client was disatisfied with his high dollar divorce specialist lawyer. Former female divorce client recommended me...so he fires his first atty and hires me even though I'm not a specialist.

Opposing counsel is another specialist know for his success in representing women scourned. Judge is a middle aged divorcee, A real tough broad. Runs her court room really tight. Local rules give each side only 30 minutes to try issues of temporary support.

Complicated case. Husband (my client) leaves his wife of 26 years. In a moment of stupidity tells her he's in love with another woman...has been having an "emotional" affair. Husband makes about $350K/year (a LOT for here). Total techno geek. Wife has beena stay at home mom for last 25 years,,,married shortly after HS.4 kids (2 are over 21..others are son 18, dtr 19). Dtr sides with dad and moves in with him after mom literally beats her up. Son stays with mom and hates dad.

Husband has been voluntarily paying about $13K total to keep wife in marital home/utlities/car/$2500 mad money/Child support/etc. Try to settle before hearing....no go when we stopped offer at $16.5....SHE WANTS $20k/MONTH.

Go to trial. afterwards opposing counsel feels like she'll get $18K. I fear it will be higher.

Result? Judge awards $7,400 total. HOOOOOAAAAAHHHHHHH.

I....AM....DA.......MAN!!!!! Guy stroked me a $5K bonus on the steps of the courthouse. Wait til he gets my bill

[vash]

chris rock joke.

"i dont agree with what Scott Peterson did..........."

[Moses]

Good work! But how could counsel even think they could get $18K/month? Can that happen??? Wow. If he makes $350K how much does he take home? She gets ALL of it?

[Dueller]

Takes home about $26K/mo....pretty creative accountant. Plus he moved to an $850/mo apt, living frugally, etc.

One of the things she was asking for was $1500/mo clothing allowance and $1200/mo entertainment allowance. When I pressed her on cross she blurted out "Well if I'm going to be divorced I need to be able to dress up and start going out."

I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SHE HAD RAN CHARGE CARDS UP $30k IN THE 8 WEEKS BETWEEN SEPARATION AND THE HEARING.

[Joeaksa]

There are times that I am glad that I am still single. Been 9-10 years since being divorced and while there are times I start thinking about getting married again, but stories like this make me think twice about it.

Good job Jim! If she is not happy with it, considering the cost of living where you guys are, I could sure show her how to survive on payments like that!

[gtc]

Just out of curiosity, is alimony considered taxable income?

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Good job Jim! If she is not happy with it, considering the cost of living where you guys are, I could sure show her how to survive on payments like that!

Yeah, but $3K goes to house payment, $1200 for HH expenses/maintenance/food/laundry, $200 kid's allowance, $300 gasoline, $459 car note, $575 Utilities/cable/phone, $100 car insurance...etc. Only $500 classified as spousal suppotr/alimony. NO CHILD SUPPORT SINCE BOTH HAD A KID WITH THEM Weird way the judge earmarked the award.

But it will have the effect of getting her to the table to negotiate a final settlement.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by gtc

Just out of curiosity, is alimony considered taxable income?

Permanent periodic, yes...deductible to paying spouse.

[Dueller]

BTW...PORSCHE content...my client drives a Cayenne S

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Yeah, but $3K goes to house payment, $1200 for HH expenses/maintenance/food/laundry, $200 kid's allowance, $300 gasoline, $459 car note, $575 Utilities/cable/phone, $100 car insurance...etc. Only $500 classified as spousal suppotr/alimony. NO CHILD SUPPORT SINCE BOTH HAD A KID WITH THEM Weird way the judge earmarked the award.

But it will have the effect of getting her to the table to negotiate a final settlement.

Theres lots of blue sky there.

$200 for kids allowance? How about $10 a week until they get a part time job?

$575 for utils and so on? Give me a break, get a basic unlimited ATT plan for $69 a month, $40 for high speed cable and $200 for gas/electric.

$1200 for HH expenses? Eating Filet or rib-eyes every night huh? Cut that in half and learn what Costco is all about.

Anyone who is having problems living on $7500 a month IMHO has a money problem.

Joe A

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Anyone not able to live on $7,500.00 per month after tax income is rather a complete moron!!!

She just wanted to make him suffer, no more, no less.

[Dueller]

Last month she ran the electric bill up to $800 out of spite...its a big house. Water/sewer is typically $125, gas $50 in the summer; $400 in winter....averages. She ran up $400 on pay per view, internet/phone including 65$ on Directory assistance. They had a maid twice a month for $80/day but when he left she went tonce a week. She hired a yard man at $125/week when they never had it before separation. The kid is expected to pay for his school lunches etc.out of his allowance.

Like I say it was convuluted. Plus, she does have some rights on a lifestyle she was accustomed to since husband was allegedly at fault. Judge basically reeled her wild spending in.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

Anyone not able to live on $7,500.00 per month after tax income is rather a complete moron!!!

She just wanted to make him suffer, no more, no less.

Somehow I manage on $2500 after taxes... and that is in Los Angeles!

Duelly, you are the man!

[teenerted1]

son is 18? sorry no allowence get a job NOW and start being a man. it's summertime kid you dont need lunch money...you need a job at a resturant where the meals are part of your benifits. dishdog comes to mind. gotta start somewhere.
if he is in college and makes an arrangement with dad to pay fine but child support needs to end at 18.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

son is 18? sorry no allowence get a job NOW and start being a man. it's summertime kid you dont need lunch money...you need a job at a resturant where the meals are part of your benifits. dishdog comes to mind. gotta start somewhere.
if he is in college and makes an arrangement with dad to pay fine but child support needs to end at 18.

In our state CS continues to age 21 so long as full time student. I asked mom what kid did for his allowance. She replied "Nothing. Never has had to and I won't make him just because his dad walked out on us. " Judge didn't order it but looked down from the bench and striongly suggested son replace the lawn man.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Judge didn't order it but looked down from the bench and striongly suggested son replace the lawn man.

That boy will have a difficult life once he is out from under Mothers wing...

[masraum]

Child support? ALL of the kids are over 18. There shouldn't have been any thoughts or talk of CS. That's crazy.

Wow, from $16.5 to $7.4. I bet she's REALLY pissed at her lawyer.

What about the $30k she put on the credit cards, is that his, hers, or both now?

Congrats on the job well done.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

That boy will have a difficult life once he is out from under Mothers wing...

Yeah, hopefully at least one of the kids is hard working and responsible. But it's easy to imagine that neither is.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yeah, hopefully at least one of the kids is hard working and responsible. But it's easy to imagine that neither is.

Actually the 19 y.o. daughter is as sweet as she can be and works 20 hours per week at dad's company and goes to school full time. 21 yo son (actually will be 21 in 2 weeks) is a 4th year junior at college...dad has been footing the bill and judge reminded my client his obligation to support him ends July 1.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Dueller

......only 30 minutes to try issues of temporary support....

Was this a final decision or temporary support without prejudice?