Is child support only for women? My future ex-wife earns three times more than me.
She says I have to pay her. How is that fair?
In short, livelihood isn’t just for women.
Your soon-to-be ex-wife may think she’s a lawyer by saying you have to pay her, but I doubt that will happen. The income of the parties, the formation of the parties, the standard of living of the parties and the like go into the maintenance equation. The extent and duration of the marriage is very important.
For example, if someone was a housewife and stayed home to look after the children and did not get any further education while the other went to school and then became a successful professional, then the professional would pay a substantial amount of money after the divorce in maintenance. The fact that it is a woman and not a man does not matter.
Your soon-to-be ex-wife could have a rude awakening to consulting with her divorce attorney.
Good luck with your divorce.
How do lawyers learn about new laws?
Do you have further education and courses like other professionals?
Your question is a topical one.
Yes, there are requirements that lawyers – and, by the way, judges – have to take 12 hours of classes a year to keep up with changes in the law and the like.
Each November, the judges typically all traveled to Newark, NJ for two and a half days of classes and other lectures. You will receive a certain number of credits for the courses you have attended. We call the Judicial College.
In 2020 and again in 2021, the Judicial College was held virtually. Last year it was done virtually for the first time and it worked out fine. You signed up for the courses you want to take, and you have been able to sign up for any of the classes on offer. This was something that happened every year for the judges.
The same applies to lawyers: you have to attend 12 lessons per year; if they fail to do so, they can even suspend their license after having been given a short catch-up period if necessary.
The laws change regularly across the country. Continuing education will always be required of judges and attorneys in the state of New Jersey for the foreseeable future.
Judge Michael Donio was a judge on the New Jersey State Superior Court for 20 years before retiring on July 31, 2015. Today he runs a legal advice and mediation firm on White Horse Pike. Donio can be reached at (609) 481-2919. Send your questions about his columns to askthejudge@hammontongazette.com.
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