Jim Rosica
The Senate’s alimony overhaul bill cleared its second review panel Wednesday, though it was again rushed through in the remaining minutes of a committee hearing.
The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the bill (SB 668), aimed of getting rid of “forever alimony,” on a 5-2 party-line vote.
As in its first hearing in the Judiciary Committee, the bill was last on the agenda. With time growing short, committee chairman Joe Negron limited speakers to one minute.
There was time enough for its main critic on the dais, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, to speak against the measure.
“I just think we have not taken a holistic look at the dramatic effect this will have on women and children,” she said.
It’s the third time in recent years the Legislature has attempted to change the way Florida judges can award alimony.
For decades, ex-spouses – largely men – have said what they call “forever alimony” isn’t fair, and their former mates – mostly women – counter that they shouldn’t be penalized for having trouble re-entering the work world because they stayed home to raise children.
Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland, the bill’s sponsor, has told colleagues that it would provide guidelines for judges to modify alimony awards but would not automatically end or reduce alimony for most ex-spouses.
Its equally contentious House companion (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, has been cleared for the floor.
Similarly, it’s aimed at effectively ending permanent alimony, limiting judges’ discretion in awarding alimony by providing guidelines for how much an ex-spouse should get and for how long.
Jim Rosica ([email protected]) covers the Florida Legislature, state agencies and courts from Tallahassee.
12 comments
End The War On Women
February 24, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Senator Arthenia Joyner is a SHero for ALL women and children of the state of Florida. The same can NOT be said about any of the members of the Florida GOP on not just these Family Law bills, but ALL bills that have to do with women. Pathetic…can’t wait until November, the citizens of this once great state will remember at the the polls.
Karen
February 24, 2016 at 9:09 pm
If u were 58 years old and married for 28 years like I was u would be against this bill. I spent 28 years helping my husband while he traveled all week for work. The first ten years I cleaned houses on the side to bring in extra money. Then I remodeled houses myself to sell and make money on. Then he bought a restaurant for me to run for five years. I worked without pay. No social security nothing. Now after 28 years he finds someone younger. He leaves me and marries her. He leaves me over a million dollars of debt. I have RA and other health problems. U still going to tell me I’m not entitled to a paycheck the rest of my life. He makes 300,000.00 a year plus his new wife’s income. So now I’m supposed to go out and beg. Get a job. Go back to school. What’s wrong with u people? This world is sick. No responsibility to anyone. Just do whatever. These men who want these bills passed r wealthy and don’t care who they hurt. My life as I knew it is over. Even my own daughter went for the money. It’s sickening. Now new wives to resent that I would want to get paid? How dare I ? Really u stole my husband. So taxpayers of Florida get ready to house and feed thousands of older women while there rich exes move on to someone younger. Go ahead don’t say a word to anyone in the Senate. Let them get away with it. When u pay your taxes remember me and remember u take care of me while my rich ex plays with his new wife and they travel the world. If u don’t stand up and call your Senators then u have it coming. Let them raise your taxes. My life is over don’t say I didn’t warn u!
George
February 25, 2016 at 2:38 am
Karen I get your position. You’ve a lot of hate towards your ex and his new partner. Based on what you say Ill agree that its not right. But that’s only your side of the story. Now before you go bashing me know a few facts about mine first. I’m far from wealthy and with health issues of my own, some of which she enhanced. She wanted out and made everyone’s life a living hell until I filed. Yes she used the “system” against me in every way she could to destroy me and take me to the cleaners (her words exactly). She gets permanent alimony from me until one of us dies, Ive no chance to retire. She got all the retirement savings, Ive lost two jobs because of her, forced into foreclosure and bankruptcy. My family is still divided because of this. Yet I’m still far better off without her in my life. She worked throughout the marriage and now chooses not to. I don’t have that option. Loose the hate against all men before passing judgement on us. You’ll be better off and much happier if you do.
Nemo
February 25, 2016 at 3:38 am
I understand a need for alimony temporarily in some situations to allow a transition into the workforce. I also understand that some people did sacrifice their career opportunities to support their spouse during a long (20+) year marriage and should get lifelong support, either through alimony or asset division. My issue is that EVERY divorce is treated as that last scenario, and lifelong support is handed out so easily and without justification. In my situation, 9 year marriage, the court made written findings that I provided 100% of the financial contributions, I made significant non-financial contributions, my ex had an affair, I paid for my ex to go to school during the marriage, my ex’s failure to complete her education and find employment was due to her lack of effort, my ex contributed nothing to my career, etc. Guess what, she was still awarded permanent alimony, half the assets, half of my retirement, and none of our debt.
She inherited a million dollars after our divorce and I tried to get alimony terminated. That is more money than I could make in 15 years. Guess what, alimony was not terminated because she claimed she still needed it.
I try not to think of this as a gender issue, but the courts are spring loaded to think of women as victims and men as culprits during a divorce.
The only way to stop this is to restrict judicial discretion.
Atton
February 26, 2016 at 10:20 pm
I’ll say this get a job
John Stockman
February 25, 2016 at 7:02 pm
There’s a new standard in town, folks, and it couldn’t come too soon.
You see, up until now, a woman could get herself a meal ticket by getting married and quitting work. She could effectively make a salary equal to half of what her husband makes without lifting so much as a finger – even with her kids in school as she sits at home doing nothing. Her retirement plan would be the alimony she gets when she gets a divorce. The presumption in this “old” system was that the husband “forced” the wife not to work.
Well, the new standard is this. If you are an “adult” human, then you will need to provide for your own independence. That means if you stop working, that’s your own call. If you get divorced, then you are going to have to work like everybody else does. The presumption in this “new” system is that people make their own decisions to stop working.
By the way, given that girls make up over 60% of college students, young women will prefer this new system (so they don’t have to pay alimony to deadbeat husbands).
Gustavo
February 26, 2016 at 3:35 pm
I was married for 17 years, got custody of my 4 kids (2,5,12,13 year olds) my ex got the house (4 bedrooms) 50% of my salary for lifetime and never assisted with any of the children. She sends all her money oversees and works under the table so she doesn’t have to report it. My 2 oldest could of used some support going to college but instead the money went to her. Alimony has not much to do with the children, it’s all about the women. if the roles were reversed I would of never got what she got. The current law is from the early 1900’s when the law said the man is to take care of their spouse. Time for a change.
Atton
February 26, 2016 at 10:21 pm
I think they should more forward with a more common sense approach of total abolition.
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