bartlebee

What about bankruptcy to clear off his debts and give him (& you) a fresh start? Alot of people find themselves in the position of having to file post-divorce. The bankruptcy laws are such that a person doesn't have ot be homeless and rock bottom in order to file. Rather they exist so a person can file (while retaining the equity in their house, their car, their personal items, etc) before they get wiped out, or before the person gets crushed under the debt. If everything else about the relationship is in the right place except the debt burden then maybe getting rid of that would clear the path for the two of you to move forward.

There is an individual maximum amount for each survivor, and there is also a family maximum that cannot be exceeded. Individual amounts are often reduced in order to meet the family maximum amount. As each child ages out, the benefit amounts of those remaining will increase to the personal maximum but only if that will not cause the family as a whole to exceed the family maximum. I have two kids and as a family of three we are at family maximum and all receiving less than our individual maximum amounts. When my oldest son ages out, then my younger son and I will increase to our full individual amount. Overall I will receive less SS than I do now, but not a full 1/3rd less.