How Do I Convince My Ex to Give Up Alimony?

After a divorce in Atlanta, you may face significant alimony obligations. Also known as “spousal support,” these payments can be financially crippling – and you might be racking your brain trying to figure out a way to escape them. One obvious strategy is to convince your ex that these payments are not necessary. But is this a realistic goal? Will courts in Georgia allow you to stop paying alimony? These are questions that an Atlanta divorce lawyer may be able to answer.

Negotiating Alimony 

It is possible to negotiate your alimony agreement after you separate from your ex. This could be an important discussion as you hash out the other details of your divorce – including property division, child support, and child custody. Instead of going to court, spouses can choose alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration. These discussions are sometimes confidential, and they may be cheaper and quicker than litigation.

The question is whether your ex would actually agree to give up an alimony claim. Some spouses may be more open to this idea than others. Spouses going through an “amicable divorce” may also find it easier to agree on these difficult topics.

In most cases, however, spouses will attempt to leave their marriages with as much financial security as possible – and the pursuit of alimony is often a top priority. If your ex is intent on pursuing alimony, you might have to consider more nuanced strategies.

For example, your ex might be desperate to keep discussions out of the courtroom due to embarrassing details. If this is the case, you could offer to settle the case in private – as long as they agree to forgo alimony.

You might also offer an asset instead of alimony. For example, you might face paying approximately $50,000 in alimony over the next five years. If you offer a single, lump-sum payment of $25,000 instead, your ex might agree to this arrangement. Perhaps they prefer to receive the smaller amount all at once, rather than receiving a “drip feed” over time.

Perhaps the most effective choice is to create an agreement before the marriage even occurs. This is called a “prenuptial agreement,” and many spouses use it to avoid paying alimony in the event of a divorce.

Can a Family Law Attorney in Atlanta Help Me Stop Alimony Payments?

 A family law attorney in Atlanta may be able to help you avoid paying alimony. Negotiations with your ex may be easier than you realize, and you can explore various deals and arrangements to reduce or eliminate spousal support obligations. That being said, each family is different – and the information from an online article cannot target your unique needs. Speak with an experienced divorce lawyer for more personalized guidance – and contact Kaye, Lembeck, Hitt & French today to get started with an action plan.

Sources: 

georgia.gov/file-divorce

womenslaw.org/laws/de/divorce/information-alimony/can-i-get-alimony-how-many-years-would-i-get-payments