When a couple ends their marriage the court may award a few different types of payments. One form of payment the court may award is alimony or spousal support. Alimony is a payment made from one spouse to another for the purpose of limiting the economic effects of divorce. Failure to make a court ordered payment such as alimony can have serious consequences as well, something that should be considered when making an agreement.
Minnesotans may familiar with pro wrestler Ric Flair. The former wrestler's wife is currently suing the champion for unpaid separation support and alimony. In the complaint, Flair is accused of not paying thousands of dollars in support over an extended period of time. The payments were required as part of the couples interim separation agreement.
In addition to the unpaid alimony, Flair's wife is also asking the court for attorney fees.
Flair, however, is sitting pretty compared to a New Jersey man. According to reports, the man has been in county jail for nearly seven weeks for failing to pay alimony. The man defends his actions, claiming that he is the victim of an antiquated system, and that the payments actually exceed his annual income. The jailing of the New Jersey father has sparked controversy, leading many to lobby for changes to the state's alimony system.
In Minnesota, the court considers a number of factors when awarding alimony. Among the factors the court will consider are the financial resources of the parties, the length of the marriage, how long the party seeking maintenance has been absent from the workforce, the person probability of becoming self-supporting, and the couples standard of living. Like the cases above Minnesota courts also have a lot of latitude to enforce court ordered payments.
Source: Charlotte Observer, "Ric Flair's wife takes him to court for financial support; accuses him of 'acts of illicit sexual behavior'," Gary L. Wright, Dec. 5, 2012
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