Staff Reports
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.”
