Do Alimony Costs Change Between States?

Question

Greetings all,

I have a friend who is planning to move from New Jersey to Florida. He currently pays about 40% of his salary (whether or not he works!) in Alimony. He's been offered a job in Florida, but at a lower pay rate. One of his factors if of course the alimony payments, and he was wondering if the rates for alimony would change if he moved to Florida. If not, what options does would he have to lower his alimony payments?

Thanks,

Answer 1

It all depends on how the Alimony order is written.  If it says that he will pay a certain dollar amount then he has to pay that amount.  If it says he pays a certain percentage then he has to pay that percentage.  

It could also be worded like my husband's child support order which says something like "will pay $x*x which shall be AT LEAST 20% of monthly earnings"  which basically means that if he takes a pay cut, it doesn't matter, he still has to pay that set amount, BUT if he gets a raise he has to increase the amount.  Nice how they jerk you around like that, isn't it?!?

So, that being said...if the order states that he has to pay a certain % and it doesn't list a specific dollar amount, then yes, it will lower.  If the order only states the amount of his alimony payments then he has to pay that same amount.