Alimony reduction

[Joern]

What is the name of your state? California

I have been divorced over 6 years now, paying $800.00 a month in alimony payments. At the time of our divorce, my wife was not working, but the court ordered her to seek employment. She still is not working, except for some "under the table" work.
She has no disabilities.
We were married for 23 years.
Can I get the alimony reduced or even cancelled?
Please help.

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? California

I have been divorced over 6 years now, paying $800.00 a month in alimony payments. At the time of our divorce, my wife was not working, but the court ordered her to seek employment. She still is not working, except for some "under the table" work.
She has no disabilities.
We were married for 23 years.
Can I get the alimony reduced or even cancelled?
Please help.

What exactly does your divorce decree say regarding the alimony?

 

[Joern]

alimony reduction

What exactly does your divorce decree say regarding the alimony?

It reads as follows:
Petitioner shall pay spousal support in the sum of $791 per month commencing December 1,2000, payable one-half on the first and one half on the fifteenth day of each month, and continuing thereafter until the death of either party, the remarriage of the Respondent, or further order of the court. The court finds that the Respondent is currently unemployed. If she continues to be unemployed despite good-faith efforts to obtain employment, she may seek modification of this order. Petitioner may also seek to modify this order, as it reflects the amount of temporary spousal support which was ordered while Respondent was employed.

 

[LdiJ]

It reads as follows:
Petitioner shall pay spousal support in the sum of $791 per month commencing December 1,2000, payable one-half on the first and one half on the fifteenth day of each month, and continuing thereafter until the death of either party, the remarriage of the Respondent, or further order of the court. The court finds that the Respondent is currently unemployed. If she continues to be unemployed despite good-faith efforts to obtain employment, she may seek modification of this order. Petitioner may also seek to modify this order, as it reflects the amount of temporary spousal support which was ordered while Respondent was employed.

The way that reads to me, is that alimony is permanent, unless she remarries, but that the amount is modifiable. However, it also reads to me that the amount was based on her being employed rather than unemployed since it says "if she continues to be unemployed, desite good-faith efforts to obtain employment, she may seek modification of this order".

Therefore, while it is modifiable, I am not sure that the conditions have changed to your benefit. I certainly don't see how you could get it cancelled.

 

[Joern]

alimony reduction

My income has increased over the past couple of years. Is my ex entitled to any increase in alimony?

 

[LdiJ]

My income has increased over the past couple of years. Is my ex entitled to any increase in alimony?

Generally no. However your alimony is modifiable, so it can't be 100% ruled out.