Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur must pay his ex-wife $500,000 in alimony until the year 2020. According to an Associated Press news report, Brodeur had appealed, asking that he only be required to pay the alimony until his projected retirement date in 2021. His ex-wife, Melanie DuBois, had asked for alimony payments until 2024, when their youngest child is anticipated to graduate from college. The appellate court ruled that Brodeur should pay alimony until 2020, when the youngest child will graduate high school.

A lower court had originally awarded DuBois permanent alimony. In addition, she was also awarded $132,000 in annual child support and more than $9 million in other assets. The couple married in 1995 and had five children. DuBois filed for divorce in 2003 after Brodeur admitted to having an affair with his sister-in-law, who was living with the Brodeurs to help care for the children.

In most cases that involve celebrities, lawyers for the celebrity’s spouse argue that the alimony is needed to preserve a lifestyle that was created during the marriage. That “lifestyle” could involve paying for and maintaining a big house, which may be a necessity more than a luxury when you have four or more children living with you. The bottom line is that there is no formula when it comes to alimony. Whether or not you are involved in a contentious divorce proceeding, it is imperative that you consult with a top Pennsylvania divorce lawyer and family law attorney to make sure that your legal rights are protected. If you are going through a divorce, please call the Law Office of Sheryl R. Rentz at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.