Some Ohio exes who have to pay alimony sometimes feel the strain of meeting their legal requirements. When their financial duty has been fulfilled, there is often cause for celebration. One man thought he had made his last alimony payment years ago but has recently received a notification claiming he missed a payment.
For 15 years the man made two payments of $1,250, via garnishment, to his ex-wife for a total of $450,000. When he retired in 2010 he was no longer required to pay. Not long ago he got a bill from the county probation service, claiming he not only missed his last payment, he also owed interest that had accumulated over eight years. He had retained a copy of his last pay stub showing he had, indeed, paid the full amount. He also says his ex-wife definitely would have let him know if she had not received the money.
When he went to the probation office to show evidence that the payment had come out of his check, he was told he may have paid it then but he was going to have to pay it again. There was a suggestion that his employer never made the payment, with an insinuation that he knew about it, which he denied. As his employer was no longer in business, he could not get his story verified via that avenue. Several people willing to assist gave him some options, and he is now awaiting a court appearance to see if a judge will review the evidence and rule to dismiss the order to pay.
Not only with alimony but with any type payment, it is prudent to keep copies of any disbursement records precisely for circumstances similar to this. Some questions may be cleared up with retained information, but more complicated issues may require the services of an experienced attorney. Those who know the laws particular to Ohio will be able to advise a client on the best course of action for his or her specific situation.
