Living on Social Security sucks. But my ex spent all our retirement and before SS started last month, he paid me support. This month he took me to court to stop support. You can't live in Calif on $900/month. My attorney (and several others) said they had never won a spousal support case when both parties were retired and aged 67 and 70. They told me my ex had a right to retire, and I was going to lose. Even worse, the judge I got was against spousal support period. I kept telling my attorney she was making me feel as if I shoud just give up. Live on the street. Not even try to fight for my life. All my life, we had saved for retirement. I didn't know my ex had spent every last penny, plus spent the kids college funds, the equity in our home, sold off stocks and bonds....probably over 3 million. I never knew. But I told my attorney this was my last chance at having a life.I HAD to try. And I HAD to believe there was hope. But right up till the trial 2 days ago, she said I was going to lose.

We walked into the courtroom and my ex and his attorney looked smug. I told my attorney to not give up, to tell the truth (while thinking I am paying her $20,000 for this?)

I won!!!!!!

The judge said it was the hardest case she had ever had. "People work hard all their lives and expect, when they retire, that the money they saved for retirement will be there for them. It is devistating to find out so late in life there is not retirement money. You, sir, have requested you also be given half you ex spouses' life insurance. When you divorced you both were awarded the life insurance on each other. You made a choice sir, that choice was to spend it. Your ex was frugal and smart and saved it. I am not going to give you half of something she was able to save by doing without and cutting back on her spending. I am not going to punish her fo being smart. I am also not going to include it as an asset she has. The money no longer exists, just as you say all the retirement you both saved no longer exists. Also, what do you need a$350/month storage unit for? You say you are totally broke. Get rid of the storage. Does your 36 year old daughter actually live with you and not have a job?'

My ex "Yes, but her boyfriend also lives with me. But they share a room"

The judge told him to keep his mouth shut as he was only making it worse.

Judge "I have changed numbers around and done the best I can but the best I can do is probably not going to make either of you happy. I am really sorry"

She ended up giving me enough so I can survive when added to SS. More then I had when I walked into court.

I thanked her and said her best was wonderful and would keep me off the street. I was so grateful. My attorney was in shock.

My ex and his attorney walked out without saying a word.

He abused me for 30 years. Left me with PTSD, gave me Chronic Hepatitis C, starved me.....and for the first time ever...

He lost.