Mikewatts48 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 Hello, I wanted ask about spousal maintenance/support and get advice when I should stop paying utility bills. I am currently overseas and my wife is also pregnant, but it's not my baby, she got pregnant by another man. My wife hasn't worked in over 2 years now and we've been married for 5 years and 3 months. We don't have any property together and don't have kids together. If I was to stop paying utility bills now, would that be wrong of me to do? Should I pay til the divorce is final? Also if I keep paying will the judge make me keep paying in the terms of spousal maintenance/support?
basil67 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 Have you seen a lawyer yet? If so, what terms have you agreed to?
salparadise Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 Pregnant by another man is an egregious betrayal, as bad as it gets. I wouldn't feel any obligation to pay her bills under those circumstances. Let the baby daddy pay, or let her move back home with her parents. The court may mandate payments, but until/unless that happens I'd let her figure it out the same way she figured out the other half of the equation. Yes, you do need a lawyer. I'm sorry to hear about your circumstances. It must be gut wrenching.
Blind-Sided Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 No property... no kids... and preg with another man's baby... I would have stopped paying a while ago, and worked on taking my name off those bills so it wouldn't effect my credit. Regardless of what state you are in... you could fight any alimony based on those 3 things... regardless if she has been working or not.
Rockdad Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 I'm sorry you find yourself in this position. If you haven't already sever any joint accounts immediatly if you have any. Lawyer up as other have said. If your in the US it varies from state to state how much if any spousal support is required. Having no joint property or children in the mix is definitely a plus for you in a divorce.
Els Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 If you are certain the baby isn't yours, talk to a lawyer about it. When it's born a DNA test might be in order to prove it to the court.
d0nnivain Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 The answers to your questions depend on what country / state you & your wife are in. Nobody except your lawyer can give you accurate advice.
GorillaTheater Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 I don't know if you plan on challenging paternity (how old is the kid?), but if you do, you 110% need a lawyer. 1
Marc878 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 Don't take any chances. You are married to her so the baby (in a lot of jurisdictions) will be deemed yours unless proven otherwise. Get legal help immediately if you don't want stuck with child support!!!!!! 1
GorillaTheater Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 Forget my question about how old the kid is; I see that your wife is pregnant now. In that case, without a doubt get a lawyer and challenge paternity.
preraph Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 My feeling is you will have to pay until the divorce is final. And what happens after that depends if you are in a community property state or not. But either way, you just need to get an attorney on it and get it over as fast as possible!
PegNosePete Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 It's likely you will end up paying, one way or another. If you are paying spousal support then that is intended to cover your spouse's living expenses, so you wouldn't be expected to pay spousal support AND her bills. How much you should pay and for how long very much depends on many factors, most important being where you live, your respective incomes, assets, debts, ages, length of marriage. Yes it's possible you could set a precedent by paying her bills and giving maintenance voluntarily so as suggested many times above, see a lawyer.
Mr. Lucky Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) Have you seen a lawyer yet? You need a lawyer. Yes, you do need a lawyer. Lawyer up as other have said. talk to a lawyer about it. Nobody except your lawyer can give you accurate advice. you 110% need a lawyer. Get legal help immediately But either way, you just need to get an attorney so as suggested many times above, see a lawyer. Wonder what he should do? Mr. Lucky Edited October 11, 2019 by Mr. Lucky 1
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