what are my rights?

[prizem951]

I don't understand what my rights are as a woman who is legally married to a man, compared to that if I divorced him. What am I legally entitled to being married to the man? I ask this because he will soon be going to court over child support for a child with another woman from 12 years ago. All this time later, she is now saying she wants money from him. Fine whatever, seperate issue. But the fact is, is he now fully supports me and our child. I'm afraid that when in court and the judge decides child support payments for the other child, that I don't have any legal rights as a wife, and his child with me will have no legal rights for support. It's not a matter of me thinking the other child does not deserve support, it's a matter of me being concerned he will no longer be able to take care of me and our child. Would the courts have to take me and my daughter into consideration regardless because of our marriage or are only support orders considered? I'd hate to think that I need to seperate from him just so I could get due support for myself and child. Incidentally, our child is only 3 years old and that is why I am home caring for her, and he is fully supporting that. We have an extrememly tight income.
ANY ADVICE IS APPRECIATED, EVEN IF VAGUE BECUASE UNSURE OF MASS LAWS.
MASSACHUSETTES.

 

[kat1963]

Welcome to the spot that many of us are in....seperating from your husband, I really don't understand how that is going to help you....first of all if she gets a percentage of his pay, say 40% and you leave, they can only take 55% (65 if in arrears) so that leave you with pretty much diddly....and then you'll have another mtg/rent payment, nah, thats not going to work. We are in a similar position, so I do understand your pain. Biotroll was not awarded support last year because we have one and she has one...but this new judge said that wasn't fair and will be ordering support. I'm a SAHM also. All I can tell you, fight for your marriage and keeping your family intact. IT'S JUST MONEY after all and you can make ends meet by using coupons, doing click reward programs on the computer and basically cutting back even more. The way I figure it, I"ll work a few hours at night to make up for the support and thats it. No way, just NO WAY Hon am I going to allow her to win...get the money and destroy my marriage, oh heck NO!!!! Fustrating and painful (I haven't slept in 3 nights) I know about, find a 2nd wives support board to vent..it really does help!

KAT