Today’s Just Be thought
Today’s thought is on doing the right thing even if doing that costs us.
I am not always successful in this. But I am successful at times and am so glad I am.
Specifically speaking, I am reminded of the debt obligation I am to be freed from at the beginning of next month.
I had a chat with my attorney back in 2009. “What would happen,” I asked, “if I chose not to pay the alimony I agreed to pay?”
The attorney didn’t hesitate. “Well, I can’t advise you to stop paying that alimony.”
I pressed on, “I know. And I would never ask you to help me do that. I’m asking what would likely happen if I simply stopped paying.”
He thought, and said, “She could take you to court, and she’d win.”
I kept on. “And what would happen as a result?”
The attorney asked, “Do you have any investment property or additional vehicles? Any jewelery or items of sizeable value? Any boats?”
I replied, “No, but I may be buying my Dad’s home.”
The attorney thought. “She wouldn’t get much. Texas says the home you live in and the vehicle you use to get to work can’t be taken from you in civil court. You’d be liable for her attorney and court fees.”
So in essence, I would be on the hook for a few hundred dollars, maybe a grand at most if I chose to not honor my agreement. I’d have to be very careful not to let slip my current state of affairs as she could continue to take me back to court as she saw fit.
I was sorely tempted to take that route.
At the time I had that conversation with my attorney, there was no end date to the alimony payments. I knew I’d be facing the same I sane amount after I retired as the day I agreed on the terms.
But that wasn’t the right thing to do.
I chose instead to stay the course and see what came up.
It wasn’t too long after that when suddenly out of the blue, your Mom offered an end date if I could meet certain conditions.
Was her inspiration a result of my decision to do the right thing? Hard to say.
But I’m glad I chose the path I took.
I’m free in a week or so. Completely free.
I don’t have to look over my shoulder. I don’t have to ask you kids not to say anything about my housing and income situation to her.
I can breathe easily knowing I did what I was asked to do and I did it to the best of my ability.
When I thought of my options in the past, I considered what life might be like for future me. I’m glad past me was a nice guy.
Here’s a video that spurred my thought today: