Alimony bill hits Florida Senate floor

shutterstock_169261985

The Florida Senate on Thursday began its consideration of this year’s alimony overhaul bill, with a vote as early as Friday.

Among other things, the bill changes the way Florida judges can award spousal support with an eye to get rid of what critics call “forever alimony.”

The proposal (SB 668) allows the courts to modify alimony payments if there is a “substantial change in circumstances.” That could mean the unemployment of the person paying or the person getting paid reaching the age to receive full Social Security benefits.

For years, former spouses – mostly men – have said permanent alimony isn’t fair to them.

Their exes, usually women, have fought back, saying they shouldn’t be penalized for having trouble re-entering the workforce.

In questions, Democrats continued to pick at the bill, suggesting it’s unfair especially to women.

State Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Lakeland Republican sponsoring the bill, countered that she’s looking out for women. She also said the bill “takes some of the emotion out of the process.”

Staff Reports



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories