Florida Divorce

[400+club]

Florida....

I met my wife almost 11 years ago, she had a 1 year old son. The father never had anything to do with the child, but still has a court order to pay child support. Once in a while she will get a payment. We have been married for almost 6 years now and have one child together. The question is, am I obligated to pay child support for the step child. The other question, can she get alimony?

 

[dorenephilpot]

You are not obligated to support another person's child (unless you take a hard look at our tax system) unless you have adopted that child.

The fact that you were married to the child's mother doesn't obligate you to support the stepchild.

Obviously, you will have to pay support on the child that you had with her, but I think you already knew that.

As to spousal support, that's a very fact-sensitive question, depending on whether she's able to work and support herself, what the earnings discrepancy is between the two of you and the judge's whims that day.

Generally, I tell clients that it's only ordered in cases where the spouse became disabled during the marriage or when there is a HUGE income disparity and a long-standing marriage.

But I practice law in Indiana, not in your state, and things might be different there.

Best of luck to you in your situation!