Q: Periodic Alimony Payments (Alabama)
My divorce states that my ex is to pay me $600/month for 12 months after the date the agreement is signed. But I am now pregnant, not by him of course. Can my pregnancy cause for the alimony to be stopped or does he still have to pay. No special wording on divorce agreement paperwork just that he has to continue to pay it for 12 months from the date signed and that it's listed under Periodic Alimony.
A: I think at worst your agreement is unclear and subject to two meanings. Alimony that is set out with a definite time limit is usually specifically called "alimony in gross" in the agreement. To call the alimony "periodic alimony" which is ended by co-habitation (but not by simple conception of a child) and then set a time limit is just unclear. Your best bet is to get that agreement to the lawyer who drafted it and ask him or her what it means. If you got it off the internet and drafted it yourself, you are going to wind up in Court -- maybe -- so a judge can tell you what it means.
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