The alimony was going to hurt a lot for me. They were asking for $1200 a month if she lived with OM and $2000 a month if her and OM broke up. For 5 years (half the length of marriage). In addition to child support and my paying for all the kids extracurriculars and school, I dont know if I could have scraped by.
The amount and duration of alimony can be changed in my state depending upon changes in income or disabled. For instance, if my XW were to get in an accident and could not work again, they could change the alimony duration to be indefinite. But if alimony is not on the final divorce judgment, there is no way to come back later on and have it added.
Therefore, my L negotiated a buyout of alimony as part of the division of assets so that alimony was not on the final divorce judgment. They started high at $50G and we offered $30G. They came back with $40G and sweetened it by offering me the ability to claim both kids for tax purposes. I was able to refinance the house to pay off all of the buyout and division assets and I only have $300 a month added on to my house payment.
One advantage for the payer of alimony is that it can be deducted from taxes. The receiver has the disadvantage that they have to claim it as income. A buyout is a tax free transaction. Your state may differ.
Something to think about if you do end up going down the D road.
