Should permanent alimony be allowed, or is it fundamentally unfair?

Question

Seems a simple question.

There was a story I saw recently of a woman who was divorced from her husband 17 years ago. She's been married to new husband for 10 years. Her and her first husband were married for 7 years. She divorced because he caught her cheating. She was granted "indefinite" alimony. Recently he had to have a knee replacement, was forced to sell his business and is now permanently disabled and only making retirement and SSDI. He took her back to court asking to discontinue the alimony. To which the courts granted his request. The woman on the other hand was livid, stating that she should be receiving it for the rest of her life, even if it leaves her ex husband destitute and unable to eat. The judge cited two reasons for ending support, reason 1 she's been remarried for 10 years, and 2, he simply cannot afford it and survive.

In this case the judge made the correct ruling.

In my own state alimony/Spousal support is capped at 3 years or until the supported spouse gets married which ever comes first. As it should. I think permanent alimony is criminal, and any judge that grants it should be removed from his position.

FreyaRed · Accepted Answer

American alimony laws after divorce are crazy. Generally if divorce happened because one side cheated the cheater should be excluded from right to gain alimony. When the person remarried the right for alimony should be revoked.
Otherwise soon no one sane person who has inherited some stuff or has a good income will marry. Some decent alimony is okay in case of high potential income difference, like the guy is a CEO and the ex wife a grocery clerk, but not life long (max the time they were married) and not 50% of his income (comfy social minimum should be okay). If they were both just wage slaves alimony shouldn't be granted to any side because both are on the brink of social minimum.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

I think the law in my State is the alimony stops if she marries someone else.

Back in the 50's my mom was getting $10/week alimony and my Dad took my mom to court and he didn't have to pay it anymore. He never paid his child support either.

After he took away the alimony from my mom, she tried to commit suicide. I have horrible memories of that night. They took my mom away from me to the hospital in an ambulance. I was only 5 years old.

strateguy632 · Accepted Answer

she should go back to her parents and zero money except for kids but she must prove it went to kid or lose privilege.  i sww those ads for game named...

Ariesman81Nshiiit · Accepted Answer

As long as no fault divorce exists... neither should alimony or child support

TrueConfection · Answer

I think there should be rare exceptions such as couples who were married 20+ years where one spouse was the primary breadwinner. It’s very difficult to renter the workforce in most industries after a long hiatus and likely both spouses contributed to the successful career of the breadwinner. However, no one should ever continue to receive alimony after remarrying.