Q: Going through divorce after living apart for 4 yrs. Should I get settlement THEN petition for 2 yrs retro CS or ask now?
My husband and I have been separated (unofficially)since July 2013. A mediator got involved in January 2017,making it official. I've been financially hit hard trying to pay 1/2 of my 2 kids' needs. My husband always cried poor,so I felt I had to go in half. I have since found out he lied about his finances and that he had plenty of money (made 2 and 3 times what I did) , he just didn't want to do the right thing, he opted to get away with things as cheaply as possible. We should be meeting to go over settlement in next 2 weeks (I don't have $ for my own attorney). I don't want to freak him out and tell him I am going for retroactive child support. I am afraid that my settlement will be adjusted downward to compensate, if I tell them that. My husband is very manipulative. We have been married over 18 years. He is in commission sales and has made between 100K and 150+K a yr and I make a salary of $50K. Our standard of living is vastly different. When do I go for the retro CS?
A: If you agree to a settlement now, you probably won't be able to come back and seek to change it so as to get retroactive child support. So, by all means, either ask for retroactive child support now, or forget about it.
A: Based on the income of both parties, you should both have attorneys. There is too much at stake. Between the two of you, there is $150k - $200k in income. Why wouldn't you have an attorney to help you at this next meeting? Your husband should have to pay for your attorney's fees, based on the disparity in your income. Please call, so we can further discuss this matter. 954-776-2320.
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