Today was my first meeting with my attorney. I was put in touch with him by one of my good friends, and he's amazing. He was so nice, and even though I was incredibly nervous he made me feel a little more at ease.
We went over the things M and I have already talked about - visitation, child support, etc. I didn't realize we could put stipulations about alcohol and smoking (both of which M claims to have re-quit after he broke up with his girlfriend, but we all know how much I can trust anything he says) during visitation times. He let me know about that, and he thought the smoking thing would be especially appropriate due to E's prematurity. I was pleased.
He brought up something else... alimony. I had planned on asking for some, but didn't expect it to be a whole lot. Certainly a fraction of whatever child support was. Besides, we were only married for 2 years. But he suggested that I ask for a little less than DOUBLE child support in alimony.
I'm really struggling with that. My main concern is that I get enough money from child support/alimony/whatever you want to call it to cover daycare. I can handle diapers and food, and I have many generous friends who have given me hand me down clothes for E. The figure he's suggesting would put me a couple hundred dollars over that.
Which is great. Except.. I know M's stuck in the two bedroom apartment he moved into when he moved in with his girlfriend. I know what that apartment costs. I know how much he makes. I have a general picture of what his other bills are.
He simply can't afford it. There is NO WAY he can afford to pay me that much.
My attorney pointed out that the point of alimony is to try to maintain the lifestyle to which I've become accustomed, or at the very least equalize mine and M's standards of living. That would effectively do that - he'd have to move in with family or rent a room, which is what I'm doing. He wouldn't, however, have the luxury of being able to apply for public assistance, since he would still be in too high an income bracket (I think).
I'm just not sure how to reconcile this all. On the one hand, he caused this. He chose this for us. I didn't. And when you make a choice so rashly, the consequences usually crash down on you pretty heavily. That's life. And he has to live with the consequences of the choices he's made.
On the other hand.. I'm not the kind of person that can look at another person's unfortunate situation and say, "Sucks to be you!" I'm forever putting myself in other people's shoes, and when other people hurt, so do I. Even people I don't particularly like, or am mad at. Or who are just plain douchebags, as M is. I can't imagine inflicting that kind of stress on him. Even though he earned it. I've realized that this is an inherent personality flaw that I need to work on if I'm ever going to survive in this cruel, cold world, but that doesn't help me now.
The only thing that makes it seem even kind of okay is the realization that I have to look after E. Getting the money is best for him in the short term and the long term. I think.
Thoughts? Advice?
You gotta think long term. Got to. Will he always be in this expensive apt? Will he always have this level of pay? Will you always have hand-me-downs for E? No. Think about the future- there will always be unexpected expenses: the car dies, you lose your phone, gas prices go up. I don't know where you're at now- student loans? You'll have to pay those back some day- and why? because of M. So equalize your standard of living. Have enough pride in who you are to get what you need. Life will always cost more than you think, so ask for what your attorney suggests- respect yourself enough to do that.
ReplyDeleteYou're not doing it to be vindictive or get back at him, you're doing it because you have to. Yes, it will be hard on him, but it will also be hard on you- it's already hard on you, you're on public assistance, living in a bedroom, being a single mom- nobody wants to be there. Get all the help you can. Shoulders back, head held high, deep breath: You are worth it. Life is expensive. Respect yourself.
I am not in your situation, so I do not know what you are going through, or if my input is even helpful. However, I think you need to make sure you get some alimony. I understand you do not want to put M in a bad situation. But I am not sure if he ever has considered the situation he put you in. If you do ask for alimony, maybe you could put it in a college fund for E. College is expensive, and it is never too early to start saving! Plus it would benefit for your son.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other two. He chose where he is living now, and he kicked you out. Even though you know he can't really afford it, look at your situation. You are living in one bedroom with your family. He isn't. You are on government help, he isn't.
ReplyDeleteIf you are able to even get enough to be comfortable in case something happens to you or E, you need to do it hun. This is going to be messy, but you didn't choose this, he did. And people have been paying this for centuries, and even if they can't truly afford it, they make it work because they decided on this route.
Giant hugs and you're doing great!!