Hmmm. Let me see if I have this right? Any animal that kills a man must be put down? So, Tim Wells, if someone kidnaps you from your home and beats you into submission or withholds food to force you to do cute tricks and you kill the kidnapper, then you should be "put down"? Don't forget that you're an animal too.

Alimony does refer to the "spouse," and the ex's gender is irrelevant. Alimony is granted on the basis of the dependency of one spouse on another and the standard of living that the dependent spouse has become accustomed to throughout the course of the marriage. Though the variables differ from state to state, generally the amount of alimony granted is based on the needs (including standard of living) of the payee spouse, the ability of the payor spouse to pay, and the payee spouse's earning capacity (e.g. education, job history, etc.). If the wife was a doctor and the husband was a janitor and they were married for 17 years, she would certainly have to pay him alimony.

Roach's argument has no legal merit and is likely a composite of his parsimony and his attorney's interest in free publicity.

It's great to see the happy face behind Neatorama (inarguably the best website ever). Congratulations to you and your family! Advice? I don't know squat about kids, but I would have liked it if my father had made me smile and showed me how a man ought to treat a woman. Do that for Madeline and as an adult she'll remember you for the right reasons.

Cheers,
Nora

It's tragic and ridiculous that Charlie's potential adopters won't take him the way he is. What, are they afraid that his fifth leg won't match their furniture? As a parent of five adopted cats I speak from experience when I say that's not why you adopt pets.

-Nora

Beautiful! As a disgruntled American, that's all I can say. Thanks for this and all of your other wonderful posts.

Your faithful reader,
Nora