My jurisdiction is: Maine
I just finished a motion to modify custody and support. For a myriad of reasons it took almost 2 years and cost 20k. We share joint legal custody but my husband has physical and I have about 40% time with them. At the time of trial I did not have a job and the state imputed income to me of 24k. I did get a lower support order but I got hit with a 9,000 arrearages. I was not paying support from the time that I filed motion Nov 06 on advice of attorney since it would be retroactive. However I got hit with this now that the trial just ended. After paying attorneys fees and being unemployed (which they knew at trial) I can't pay this amount. I know I can file another motion to modify support but what about arrearages. I heard they usually don't make exceptions for arrearages. Can you get it reduced or stricken. Court gave me only 30 days to pay. I also want to comment that my ex makes over 175,000 so it is not like he needs the money. He has an excellent job and I am unemployed looking for work. Thoughts?
I just finished a motion to modify custody and support. For a myriad of reasons it took almost 2 years and cost 20k. We share joint legal custody but my husband has physical and I have about 40% time with them. At the time of trial I did not have a job and the state imputed income to me of 24k. I did get a lower support order but I got hit with a 9,000 arrearages. I was not paying support from the time that I filed motion Nov 06 on advice of attorney since it would be retroactive. However I got hit with this now that the trial just ended. After paying attorneys fees and being unemployed (which they knew at trial) I can't pay this amount. I know I can file another motion to modify support but what about arrearages. I heard they usually don't make exceptions for arrearages. Can you get it reduced or stricken. Court gave me only 30 days to pay. I also want to comment that my ex makes over 175,000 so it is not like he needs the money. He has an excellent job and I am unemployed looking for work. Thoughts?
