Florida Alimony Bill Heads To The House
For many years, Florida has been toying with the idea of overhauling its alimony system. If it moves ahead with this ambitious plan, it will become the first state to seriously change its alimony system. Many believe that this system needs to be changed across the nation, and that it harkens back to a highly patriarchal system that just doesn’t exist anymore. But there are those who oppose these changes – namely divorced wives who claim that the changes would hurt them and other women like them in the future. But what exactly does this bill include? How might it affect your divorce? What is the significance of this bill going before the house? Let’s find out:
The Bill Has Been Tabled
On April 11th, it was reported that the bill concerning Florida alimony laws had been tabled. It cleared the House Judiciary Committee thanks to a unanimous vote, and it will now be debated in the House. The most important change is the potential elimination of permanent alimony. Admittedly, permanent alimony is already quite rare in the State of Florida. But under this new law, even couples who had spent decades in marriage would have their alimony payments end at some point rather than continuing indefinitely. The state would switch instead to “durational alimony” only.
Bills Like This Have Failed in the Past
Right away, it’s worth pointing out that bills just like this one have been vetoed in the past. How do we know that the same thing won’t simply happen again? We have no way of knowing whether this bill will pass, but couples should prepare for the best – or the worst – depending on their circumstances. The bill was vetoed last year by DeSantis, who specifically pointed to an issue with the potential for alimony agreements to be amended retroactively.
Arguments on Both Sides
Those supporting the bill point out that under the current law, people often have difficulty retiring because they’re on the hook for alimony payments for the rest of their life. Because of their obligations to make their spousal support payments, they may have to literally work until they drop. On the other side of the argument, there is a strong contingent of older women who have been pushing back against this legislation for years. They claim that permanent alimony is justified. Not only that, but they raise the same concerts as DeSantis – that existing alimony agreements could be amended retroactively.
Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Divorce Attorney in Florida?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Orlando divorce attorney, look no further than Steve Marsee, P.A., Attorney at Law. The truth is that even with the coming changes to Florida’s alimony system, you can still fight for your spousal support in an effective, confident manner. But in order to do this, you’ll need to get in touch with a genuine legal professional. Book a consultation today, and we can start discussing the best course of action based on your specific situation.
Sources:
floridapolitics.com/archives/602495-john-temple-bill-eliminating-permanent-alimony-ready-for-house-floor/
tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/03/21/alimony-divorce-permanent-wives-child-veto-bar/
