Do I have to pay for everything is she is unemployed?

Question: What does the law in Alaska state regarding alimony? My wife and I have been married for 2.5 years and we have a child that is 5mos old. I am currently paying all the bills seeing as she just got out of the military and is claiming unemployment. She says I need to pay for everything i.e. Provide a home for them to live in, vehicle, child support and day care. Is this true?

Answer: The laws of each State differ on the issue of alimony (now called maintenance in many jurisdictions). You do not have to do anything until there is a court order directing that you make these payments. Absent a court order there are practical reasons why you would make some of the payments while the divorce is pending. You do not want to lose your house or be accused of "wasting" marital property by having the vehicles repossessed or the home foreclosed upon. Further, it is often strategically important in a custody dispute that you make voluntary payments of child support. I do not understand why there would be day care expenses if your wife is not employed. Therefore it would be difficult to justify making that payment. Absent facts not included in your questions long term maintenance would be difficult for your wife to prove. The fact that she has a history of employment and the marriage is of such a short duration are facts strongly in favor of a court ordering no maintenance.

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