[Dean's World] Dean: Abolish Alimony

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dean:
Abolish Alimony
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1198089673.shtml


   Dr. Helen has an [1]interesting column on alimony.

   All I'll really say is that I agree with most of what she says,
   however, I must point out that there *are* circumstances where alimony
   is very justifiable. Say, for example, a couple is together for 10
   years, with one sacrificing everything so that the other can, say, go
   to college and through grad school and then, poof, degree in hand,
   right comes the divorce decree, and now the aggrieved spouse, with no
   college at all, is sitting there holding the bag with no education and
   no prospects.

   Or say one stays home with the kids while the other works and goes to
   school and pays everything. What's an equitable split on that?

   My only point being, abolishing alimony/spousal support/whatever you
   call it in its entirely would surely not be just in all cases.
   Especially in "no fault" divorce states where one spouse can simply
   unilaterally divorce the other--for example, here in Michigan, it's
   simply not possible to contest a divorce. If one side wants out,
   that's it, case closed. But that doesn't mean one side can't ask for
   support, if conditions warrant it.

References

   1. http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/12/ask_dr_helen_should_alimony_di.php