College expenses and maint in Florida

[pollokeeper]

I had poor representation when I divorced in 1995. I want my daughter to go to college so I signed an agreement to pay half of all college related expenses at the community college and the state college. Now the daughter is getting ready to go to college but I don't have the funds to pay what is demanded in the divorce decree. I can pay some money. The agreement is poorly written and does not give many details about how much is to be paid. It just says I must pay half of the expenses. I am retired and live on a State of Florida pension in the Republic of Panama. The pension only pays 1300 dollars each month. I believe my X will demand money very soon. Do I need to retain the services of an attorney now so I am ready for this battle? Can my State of Florida pension be garnished to pay this? The X and I have communicated very little over the years. I am interested in mediating this somehow so I can help my daughter out using the available funds I have and not be bankrupted.

 

[army judge]

I had poor representation when I divorced in 1995. I want my daughter to go to college so I signed an agreement to pay half of all college related expenses at the community college and the state college. Now the daughter is getting ready to go to college but I don't have the funds to pay what is demanded in the divorce decree. I can pay some money. The agreement is poorly written and does not give many details about how much is to be paid. It just says I must pay half of the expenses. I am retired and live on a State of Florida pension in the Republic of Panama. The pension only pays 1300 dollars each month. I believe my X will demand money very soon. Do I need to retain the services of an attorney now so I am ready for this battle? Can my State of Florida pension be garnished to pay this? The X and I have communicated very little over the years. I am interested in mediating this somehow so I can help my daughter out using the available funds I have and not be bankrupted.

You are, as they say, almost "untouchable".
Your pension assets are generally safe from seizure.
Panama offers many protections and incentives to "ex-pat" retirees.
You might want to speak with your contact in Florida who services and supports retirees.
They can can advise you how safe your pension is from civil court (child support) seizures.

Florida does not require you to support children beyond the age of majority.
You. however, agreed to do so in your divorce decree.
You should also speak with an attorney in FL about the legality of that provision of your decree regarding college tuition.

 

[pollokeeper]

I had a free consultation from an attorney in Florida. This kind of case is not common because as you said, Florida does not require support after the age of majority. However, I signed this agreement to pay 1/2 for college and living expenses. So, the court will in all likelihood expect me to pay up. I am not physically disabled to the point that I could not work either, so the expectation could be that I return to Florida or the US to find a job. Or pay what I have in savings and then a payment plan may be instituted. The attorney also says that the pension plan could also be garnished if this agreement is considered child support, which in all likelihood it will, even though this issue is talked about in an entirely different section. The attorney suggests that I try and talk to the X concerning some kind of a amicable arrangement, such as a lump sum payout or monthly payments and then to have the agreement put in writing. Nothing has been asked for as of yet. But, the agreement states that I must pay 1/2 of the expenses as they occur within 30 days of receiving notification of the expenses. What was I thinking back in 1995? I wanted the best for my daughter but I had no idea of what my financial position would be like in 2010. When I make mistakes they are doozies.

 

[pollokeeper]

I decided to contact the X to discuss our daughters needs. She verbally agreed to accept payments of 300 dollars per month starting next month. She told me that she was not looking to take me to court but she needed me to make some effort to help pay these college expenses. I know that agreements like this can be dicey at best. So I plan to mind my P's and Q's, pay the monthly payments and hope for the best. A court experience would be devastating to both me and the X actually, as the funds spent for this would not go where they are really needed.

 

[army judge]

It would be wise to at least get it in writing, and even that might blow back on you. You could pay, and suddenly find yourself getting a court date.

However, she knows that you are an "untouchable", because you reside in another country. Legally, she would have a tough and expensive time serving you in Panama. Your agreement seems like you've make an effort to do what's best for your daughter. I hope things work out well for you.

We are considering relocating to Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Australia, Thailand, or Malaysia. Why did you choose Panama?


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[pollokeeper]

Dear Sir, I would be glad to correspond with you personally. Panama is not for everyone and mostly not for everyone. You can call me on my computer phone but you must first write me personally on my private email addy. Which is blueyes997_live_com
I have seen your record of public service and it is admirable. I will be glad to get to know you if you have the time to do so. My X is from Thailand. I am all Army. I served in Iraq from 2003 to 04. I served many years in the active army and also many in the reserves. My service is admirable. I was enlisted. Then served many years in the prison system in Florida. I am just a regular person who has had some bad luck. I will fill you in on all my details if you decide to contact me. I am old Florida. Panama reminds me of Florida when I was a little kid. And, it is safe and sound for those who move here. But, this is a tropical environment Sir, it is not for everyone. I for one would love to meet someone who I would consider my friend and to help them in any way I can. I am guessing you are married to an asian person. That is my intuition talking to me. I can tell you the down and dirty facts about living in Panama once I get your profile and figure out what you are looking for. I live in the country. Life is simple in Panama. But, life is simple in most parts of the world. And, it is becoming simple in American as well. I would be very happy to share my experiences with you. Just let me know.

 

[pollokeeper]

As I said before, I spoke to the X today. I was surprised at her lack of anger. She agreed on the payment plan. I do not trust her completely. But, on the surface it sounds as if she agrees on this payment plan. What can people do in my situation? The agreement was made when I was in a state of guilt. And, even now, I want the best for my daughter. It comes down to what I am capable of doing and still to have an acceptable life. It is like any father who has any conscious at all. We want the best for our children. I still believe that most men want the best for their children. I don't believe that I selfish. But, if it turns out that this is just smoke----and I pay and pay and then she says this is not enough. Then what? Don't know. Attornies work for at least 200 dollars per hour even in this economy. It's all about the money. And the money is coming from normal people that work in normal jobs or are just plain broke. And, the family dynamics. That is a completely different subject left for the psych's to charge 120 buck's an hour to sort out. What kind of world do we live in folks? Warn your children. The days of free counselling etc I am afraid are over.