I moved in with a single mother of three sons – one was a six-months baby from her second relationship. We shared all expenses equally. I was 22, she was 24.
We bought a house; I adopted the youngest boy as his only father figure. His mother convinced me to get married. We grew apart and, after years of therapy and my requests to separate, I left in 2002.
We sold the house, she got 99% of the household items, and I got the old car. The boys were all grown and had left home.
She’d worked full-time, then steady part-time. Although at separation she could support herself, I agreed to give her $450 monthly until she met someone else or got a full-time job. I was earning $60,000.
A fellow moved in with her so I stopped paying after six months. Five years later, with less stress, I was doing well at work, making $90,000. She claimed she couldn’t work because of an injury; doctors’ reports disagreed. I’m now paying her $1500 monthly, as per an agreement between my lawyer and hers.
- Is This Just?
Courts decide what’s “just,” while lawyers negotiate deals. For whatever reason, you accepted this one. Perhaps your lawyer convinced you that a court decision would be costlier. With conflicting doctors’ reports, you might’ve been able to do better, but there’d be court costs and more lawyers’ hours.
Also, much depends on whether your ex is or was helping the grown sons with education or other needed costs, and what your agreement covered for their needs. You were in the position of a parent, even for the ones you didn’t adopt.
Think through whether you’re willing to pay for re-visiting this settlement in both costs and stress. Even if it feels “unjust,” it may be more trouble to pursue any changes.
I’m 19 and love my CLOSE cousin, 29, who loves me. For two years, we had sex a lot, knowing we can never get married, or show our relationship publicly.
He got an arranged marriage nine months ago and within a month his wife’s pregnant. They’re currently long-distance. We still have sex secretly. I know that he’d never leave his wife, because he’s not that type of guy. He was always there for me when I needed someone. I can’t imagine ever having sex with anyone else.
His wife doesn’t like me, nor do I like her; I pretend for his sake. Even if we don't have sex, I want him to be there for me. I’m scared that the wife might break up our relationship or cause him to have some hatred toward me.
I decided to move an hour away, since the wife will be coming here soon. I still want to be connected to him as friends, even if we can’t have sex.
- What to Do?
Save yourself and your future by cutting off contact when you move. With his wife around, this affair is bound to explode in your faces. He’ll retreat safely to his role as father and husband, but you’ll be seen as the Nasty One.
You’ve missed seeing what kind of guy he really is - to take advantage of a girl, 17, in a situation that could so badly harm your reputation in your community. Even if you were willing, he was old enough to know how this would end.
My son and his fiancée have lived with us in separate rooms for six months; she’s in college, he has a basic job. They got engaged recently, planning to marry in 14 months, after she graduates.
They want to live together but can’t afford it and want to save for their wedding, which we can’t afford. I thought they can “live together” in our house but my husband isn’t keen on the idea. I think it’d give them a chance to see how married life will be. Should I push the issue or leave it alone?
- Uncertain
Leave it alone and let nature take its course. The floor between their rooms will likely soon squeak enough from their midnight “visits,” that Hubby will wake up and get them a double bed.
It won’t be “like married life” while they’re still under your roof and control. But it’ll satisfy their impatience for a while.
Tip of the day:
Anger over a post-divorce settlement, albeit valid, may also be too stressful to pursue a change.