All along my stbxh has alway been of the opinion that somehow he is an incredibly generous guy for giving me the privilege of staying at home with the kids.<P>In 10 years of marriage, I have done EVERYTHING except bring home a paycheck - and I even try to do that too by working out of the house with my freelance web work.<P>He informed me this weekend that 40k a year (huh?) was more than generous for someone who sat at home doing nothing.<P>*FUME*<P>I'm assuming his 40k number happens to be what he thinks he'll only have to pay in support. He honestly thinks, fogged moron that he is, that he can make 150k a year, and that 40k in support is generous for me and 3 kids. I do nothing supposedly...AND he expects me to start pulling in a fulltime salary working from home with a brand new baby.<P>Bleah, I can't wait for someone, my lawyer, a judge, anyone, to hit him with a big fat reality stick.<P>

Personally I think staying at home with 3 small children is much more difficult then going to work every day! I take it from your post that you have not contacted an attorney yet. You are correct, you need to do that. The States vary as far as child support and spousal maintenance and I'm only familiar with the State of MN. In MN they have a set amount of child support...period. In MN for child support you would receive 30% of his net income and no more. That would be a little less then what he offered if he's taking advantage of his tax write off's. Anything above that would be considered spousal maintenance in which you would have to pay taxes on and he'd get as a tax write-off. That amount depends on how long you were married and what your education is and what type of life style your use too. In a lot of cases if your asking for the home and the children the Judge will try and make up the difference between child support and the bills with the maintenance. BUT, that depends on the Judge. Some feel it's very important for you to continue staying home with your kids and continue with the life style that you were use too. Some Judges may give you spousal maintenance for a short time to allow you to find a job or get an education so that you can work outside the home. I've seen both. I've seen some women awarded a large amount of spousal and some told to get a job.

Hi Bonnie,<P>No, I have an attorney already. I filed for divorce last hrmmm...well I started the process last September, but didn't get filed til Oct. In the middle, my H and I tried to reconcile, but this little problem with his thinking it was ok to date women he met thru his personals ad on the net made it necessary for me to start it up again.<P>I served him last week via the mail, and he'll be served via the Sheriff's dept if he doesn't provide proof of service via the mail.<P>My attorney tells me that he is confident that I will be able to remain at home with my kids for at least 5 years. Even if I have to supplement, I shouldn't have to do anything but work part time.<P>I've got lots of proof of my standard of living - and it's alot more than 40k! Childsupport should be roughly 30%, which alone comes out to more than 40k. Add alimony to that, and he's not going to be nearly as financially happy as he thinks.<P>I'm just complaining and moaning about my H's complete selfishness...which we already knew about anyway right???<BR>He honestly thinks that getting divorced will immediately be a financial plus for him.<P>The fact of the matter is that he doesn't have a CLUE.<BR>