[Dr. Howard]

(10-20-2013 07:39 PM)Menace Wrote:  

(10-20-2013 06:16 PM)Merenguero Wrote:  

Alimony is a court Order, so failure to pay alimony isn't just failure to pay a debt, but is also failure to obey a court Order. Since failure to pay alimony is a civil matter, the payor/debtor should always request a "purge provision" in order to avoid having to go to jail. A purge provision basically states that any jail sentence will be stayed if the person found in contempt pays a specific sum of money, often a very reasonable amount.

You know the imputed income thing is bogus, but I get the distinct impression that many people really have just sub-standard legal advice...and good legal advice can make all the difference in the world. Hell, I know of a partner in a law firm (who you would think is very savvy) that was screwed in MA on this type of thing due to poor work by his divorce attorney. Now, why it all has to be so complex is a different matter altogether. I'd be really interested in knowing what divorce proceedings are like in other countries.

This is where I was leaning as well. I am completely speculating but I wonder how many of these complete family court disasters are due to pro se representation or shitty lawyers. I think alot of crap or lazy lawyers practice family law because its easy and there are alot of clients. I interviewed 5 different lawyers before I found a family law laywer I liked, that seemed to give half a crap and know his stuff.