alimony

My ex wife and I were married in the UK (we are both British citizens - I have a Green card) A monetary settlement was agreed in the UK courts which I was liable to pay 1000 GBP to her per month. Shortly after I lost my job and was unable to pay the monthly amount agreed. (I emailed her with the news.) I ceased payments. It has taken me one year to find a new job and I am now also remarried to a US citizen. Recently, after about a year of no contact I received an email from my ex wife (who went back to the UK and has no US Visa,) saying that she had lost her job in the UK and was taking me to court to receive the unpaid settlement amount. (13,000 GBP.) My circumstances have changed dramatically since I had my former job. My new one is much lesser paid job than before, I have a mortgage which I didn't have while married to her, a step son newly in college with the costs associated to his education. In all, these debts - mortgage, college fees etc amount to some $500,000. My current wife is soon to lose her job. My ex wife has strongly urged me to get a lawyer saying she will seek a lump sum and will also seek an order for me to pay her court costs. There are no children involved.

You need to change that order and have payments reduced!

You should always do that anytime your income changes drastically.

The judge might still cut you a break on the last payments, gather up all your records showing the income drop, and showing that it is permanent for now.