Legal Question in Family Law in Alabama
alimony in gross and attorney fees
At my final divorce hearing I was ordered to pay $1026.00 per month child support, $750.00 per month alimony, $15000.00 alimony in gross and her Atty. fees of $7300.00. I have kept current w/ whe child support and alimony but have been unable to raise the money to pay the alimony in gross and her atty. fees. She has filed a contempt of court for non-payment against me with the hearing set for July 9th. Is there any way to fight this as I simply do not make enough money to pay the alimony in gross or her atty. fees?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: alimony in gross and attorney fees
Yes. If you can establish an inability to pay, the Court deny her contempt motion. However, Courts are very suspicious of parties' claims that they cannot afford to pay a portion of a Court order. You should work closely with an attorney to establish your defense as a finding of contempt can be quite serious and can carry with it a potential jail sentence.
Good luck!
Whitney A. Clark, Esq.
518-383-1182