If an ex-spouse is breaking the law and is also a drug/alcohol addict and can be proven, do I have to continue to pay alimony?

My ex-wife has been an alcoholic and drug addict (prescription pills) and other illegal streets drugs for many years. I'd finally had enough of her behavior. She was also referred to drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs several and refused to comply or be committed to these to better herself. I have 4 children with this woman, which one is already of 18 & out of the house. The other 3 still live at home. She also does not pay child support but I am obligated to pay her $550 per month in alimony payments. All she does with the money I am OBLIGATED to pay her is used for her drug and alcohol addiction. This money could be going toward the expense of raising my three children which of whom I have full custody. I cannot imagine that I would still be obligated to pay this $550 per month alimony when she does nothing to help and is on drugs & alcohol. She also received close to $80K from our divorce settlement and she literally BLEW IT ALL in a 1-1/2! She has been sice evicted from her apartment, arrested for a DUI and has no car. She refuses to work and does do anything with herself. She has also stated our 2 older children and left message on my home AND office voicemail, stating she has prostituted herself out because no one wants her & she needs money. Please give me some advice. Ireally can't afford to pay for attorney but I need to know my rights as the LOVING RESPONSIBLE PARENT of ALL of these children I'm raising. Thanks so much for your response!

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Submitted 49 days ago...

tomturkey

Brain (2,054)

Well the money that she got from her ex in a divorce settlement would not be an issue in this matter. However you could file for child support. She is abligated to pay just as you would. If she is doing drugs or drinking is not going to be an excuse for her to not pay. Also as for you having to pay alimony if it was court ordered then you have to pay. There must of been a reason the court would order you to pay it,it is unusal. But it does happen usally if the spouce has had kmow education the court will allow alimony for a certain amount of time giving her a chance to get on her feet. I would file a motion with the court to modifly the orignal cout ordered alimony, then tell the judge that she is using the money for drinking and drugs and you want be able to stop the alimony. You should then get an order for child support,even if she does not pay it beacause of her doing drugs,ect she will always owe it and can be taken back to court. Also be sure and keep the tape you have that she states what she is doing and any other information you have on her, it will benifit you and your case and it sounds like you have one.

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