Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

We got a divorce on-line in Indiana. We thought at the time In.had alimony. The girl in the courthouse said the judge usually threw that part out, but if he didn't it was as legal a decree as any state. He didn't throw it out. He made a lot of promises he broke them all, and said he will get a lawyer and not have to pay me anything. I am 58 with a lot of health issues, and I haven't had a paying job for over 25 years. He is 37,makes good money, usually. He works in a very successful family business, which he is supposed to inherit someday, but I don't know if they wrote that down. I think he has been cutting back on his work hours so he won't have to pay me. Last year he made 55000.He is suppossed to pay me 1100 a month beginning last nov. for three years. How do I make him pay when I have no money and he is in Indiana and I am in Arkansas, 15 hours away? I really need the money, I have no where to live.


Asked on 2/07/11, 8:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

A good example of two things that should never be done, the first, going online for a divorce, the second is listening to "the girl in the courthouse" who is not a lawyer and should not be giving legal opinions that people rely upon. Indiana does give maintenance for three years in certain circumstances-it is not called alimony. Depending on your health issues, the three years may very well be justified and you do already have a decree. You can enforce it with a Petition for Rule to Show Cause. So what if he gets a lawyer-he isn't paying you right now anyway. What do you have to lose? You might consider hiring an Indiana lawyer for the limitied purpose of sending a letter indicating that further legal action may be pursued if he fails to pay as ordered. Good luck.

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Answered on 2/08/11, 4:22 am


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