Alimony question - big changes in income

[Sputnik]

We've been married 16 years. For the first 12 years of our marriage, I was our only source of income, and I made a 6-figure salary for about half those years. For year 13 or so, we both made around the same amount, then we lost money for the last couple years with no income, lost our family business, and just got through a bankruptcy. She's been working a few months making $11 an hour, and I essentially make nothing currently. Is there any chance they would try to make me pay her alimony based on "The standard of living established during the marriage" or a false potential income based on my glorious financial past, or could I actually get awarded alimony per her making money and not being able to myself?

[Attorney Cheri Hobbs]

Every alimony case is unique and we have to look at the case law to see what the best argument will be to make for you either to receive alimony or to not pay alimony to your wife. The hurdle you will have is definitely that you were the main bread winner for the majority of the marriage. Sometimes courts will order a nominal amount (i.e., $1.00 a year) for alimony IF wife is able to prove that you have the potential to make that income again. You might want to come in a talk further with an attorney about your options.