Ex-Wife on Social Security Fights Millionaire Ex Over Alimony
A woman collecting $1,460 monthly in Social Security is battling her wealthy ex-husband who refuses to pay alimony. Here's what experts say she can do.
If you're pulling in $1,460 a month from Social Security while your ex-husband sits on a multimillion-dollar fortune and refuses to pay alimony, you're not just frustrated — you're in a legal fight worth having. That's exactly the situation one woman brought to MarketWatch, and the details are a wake-up call for anyone navigating divorce finances in retirement.
Her ex is 74, his financial statements reportedly show assets in the millions, and he's still stonewalling on alimony payments. The power imbalance here is stark. Social Security alone doesn't cut it for most retirees, and when one spouse walked away from a marriage with substantially more wealth, courts generally take that seriously — if you force the issue.
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The key move? Get back into court. A family law attorney can file a motion to enforce the existing alimony order, and if a judge finds the ex in contempt, the consequences can include wage garnishment, asset liens, or even jail time. Millionaires don't get a pass just because they're stubborn. Financial disclosures already showing those assets are essentially your ammunition.
You should also consider whether the original alimony agreement can be modified upward, especially if your financial circumstances have worsened since the divorce was finalized. Courts look at both parties' current situations, and a documented gap between a $1,460 monthly income and a multimillion-dollar estate is hard to ignore. Document everything — your expenses, your income, his disclosed assets.
Bottom line: don't sit on this. Alimony orders are legally binding, and courts have enforcement tools most people forget exist. The longer you wait, the more leverage you potentially lose. Continue reading at MarketWatch.com
