Conference quokka::non_custodial_parents

68.0. "Bummer Topic" by USEM::MCQUEENEY (Panache = the art of faking it.) Fri Jun 15 1990 10:12

    	This is a "pity me, pity me" note.  I'm bummin' big time.
    
    	As I was hoping, the Company finally told me I was eligible
    for the buy-out package, to the tune of 76 weeks pay.  I figured,
    this is great, I can finally get myself back on my feet financially
    after the disastrous past 18 months.  I attended the presentation
    given by the Transition folks, and I come to find out that because
    there's a weekly wage garnishment in effect, they're going to calculate
    the garnishment times that 76 weeks, and send my EX a lump-sum portion
    of my buy out before they even start calculating my portion.  Instead
    of being a decent sum of money so I can relax and think things out
    for a while, after the EX and Uncle Sam get their shares, I'll be
    left with around 1/4 of the actual sum.  Well, that's hardly worth
    it.  I wouldn't even copnsider taking the package under those
    circumstances.  So, poverty remains.
    
    	Then, I decide, well, maybe I can get the garnishment lifted
    prior to accepting the package.  After all, it was voluntary under
    recommendation from my attorney, so maybe a judge would see the
    sense in allowing me to get the whole lump sum, as long as I promised
    to keep paying the weekly support myself.
    
    	So, today, went into court to try and persuade Hizonner that
    I should be entitled to the whole lump sum, under those circumstances.
    Plus, when I start working again, I'd voluntarily have the same
    sum garnished from that job.
    
    	Well, I had this brilliant speech all prepared (I don't use
    lawyers anymore, those buzzards live off the carrion of bitter
    divorces) and I was going to give it my all, but the ex's attorney
    (her UNCLE, no less) hardly let me get a word in edgewise and sort
    of dominated the conversation.  I got flustered, he got flustered,
    and we wound up bickering instead of giving reasoned arguments.
    I don't think the good judge was too impressed.  He's going to
    take the issue "under advisement" and will notify us by mail.
    
    	I suppose it still could go my way, but I feel very upset at
    myself for not giving my 100% best in this matter, and very upset
    and bitter at the ex- and her attorney for bothering to fight this.
    It's like, if she can't get her 1/3 off the top, then I shouldn't
    be able to benefit from the buy-out either.  She knows damned well
    that I will not take the buy-out under the current circumstances,
    but she couldn't bear the thought of me being able to profit from
    my 13 years of hard work with this Company.
    
    	Oh, well, I'll keep my fingers crossed.  Your prayers and support
    might be helpful, too!  Thanks for listening.
    
    	Bob McQ.

    Ah the joys of living in a "male dominated society".
    Sarcasm purely intentional.
    fred();

    Bob...I wish you the very best...
    
    But, this is just one more reason why every NCP should FIGHT having
    their wages garnished!  
    
    When you are out of control (of making the child support payments) you
    LOSE CONTROL!  And someone else (DEC or the Governmant) will assume
    control for you!
    
    Sure, having someone else make the payment automatically for you is
    like direct deposit...it's sure, reliable, and painless.  UNTIL
    something like this happens!  
    
    BEWARE!
    
    tony

    
    Her fighting for the lump sum sounds totally unreasonable to me.
    
    Could you suggest to the Judge that 72 weeks or so of the lump sum
    be put into a special account and alloted as usual over the next
    72 weeks?  At least you'd get the interest on it.  In the meantime,
    if you got another job, there's 72 weeks that *that* salary wouldn't
    be garnished.
    
    72 weeks of child support *in advance*?  Plus she gets the interest
    from investing it?  Plus this 'windfall' to her is tax free?
    Ridiculous!!
    
    -Dick
    

    
    Re: .3
    
    That's how I saw it, too.
    
    Steve
    

    
    	Well, unfortunately, that's not how the judge saw it.  I got
    the letter in the mail today, "Motion Denied".  Looks like I won't
    be taking The Package after all.  Rats.
    
    	McQ