Am I entitled?

[Callalilydreamer76]

My ex recently served me with divorce papers after 3 years 10 months of being separated. I lost my job one month before we separated and have been struggling ever since to make ends meet. Needless to say I am on the verge of bankruptcy as I have inccured over 30K in debt since the separation. We have/had guardianship over my nephew for the last ten years and now I find myself struggling to keep food on the table for us, as well as a roof over our heads. My nephew's father lives in Colorado. My ex and I do not have children of our own. I have completed nursing school and am seeking employment as a CNA while I intend to enroll again in January 2012 to become a RN. I would like to ask him to pay $300/month for the next two years and also retro-active support starting from the date of separation. Am I entitled?

Secondly, I have made more money than him since we moved to FL in 2002 except for in 2007 ... is that going to matter? He currently holds a steady job and I only work part-time and on welfare. Is the judge going to expect me to get a full-time job? Does the judge look at our past or the present?

[Attorney Cheri Hobbs]

You can ask for temporary spousal support as the case progresses. The court will take into consideration whatever is presented in evidence so you will need to show your income for the past several years and the condition you each are in now.