Melissa Ross
A coalition of women’s groups including the National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters, Breastfeeding Coalition, National Council of Jewish Women and UniteWomen FL will all rally in Tallahassee on Tuesday against Senate Bill 668, a family law measure awaiting Governor Rick Scott‘s signature.
The new statute would give judges a formula to use in deciding alimony payments in Florida and, more controversially, would specify a premise that a minor child should spend about equal amounts of time with each parent.
The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar supports the alimony portion of the bill, but not the child-sharing component.
The measure has generated both strong support – and opposition – as advocates on both sides await the governor’s decision.
“The media conference is being hosted to sway Governor Scott to veto this bill,” said Jacksonville family law attorney Heather Quick.
Speakers at the event, which begins at 10:45 a.m. on the steps between the new and old state Capitols, include Quick, NOW’s Barbara DeVane, and Polk County Judge Robert Doyel.
“Not only will alimony be affected by the proposed legislation, but also timesharing,” Quick said. “The bill is calling for a 50/50 timeshare split. This affects child support payments. More timesharing equals less payments. Regardless if the child is more bonded with one parent over another, or if one parent works longer hours, or if the parent has emotional or substance abuse issues — there will be an equal split. The kids should have a say in whom they want to live with. And that person should be able to afford their clothing, food and activities. We must ask ourselves ‘What is in the best interest of the child?’ “
Scott vetoed an earlier version of the proposal three years ago, but changes have been made to the legislation in the interim.
23 comments
Concerned Citizens For Alimony Reform
April 7, 2016 at 2:29 pm
“A rally of LIES and MANIPULATION” This should certainly be the title of the gathering. See the truth by visiting the Family Law Reform Website or Facebook pages. See the Truth by visiting the National Organization of Parents Website relative to the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section back room bullying and antics to try and derail this Good Bill so they ensure billable hours stay in tack.
Mike Whitney
April 7, 2016 at 3:37 pm
What a shameful disgrace this so called womens rights rally is. It goes against true equality and against what’s proven to be best for children and society… Shared parenting. They just want to retain their free money and the power of inequality they now have. Very disturbing to say the least.
Chris Spears
April 7, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Heather Quick, how do you sleep at night when during the day you have given such false information? This bill does not say 50/50. This bill gives 20 parameters for a judge to use discretion to change approximately equal time sharing for reasons that you list (closer bonding with one parent, substance abuse, work requirements). Have you actually read the bill or just getting funneled misinformation from special interest groups. Since your a women’s only lawyer, I would never use you. However, your blatant disregard for the facts and knowledge, I would deter any one from using your practice.
kenneth
April 11, 2016 at 11:18 am
She’s a women only attorney? How can that be, if a bakery must bake cakes for everyone, then how can an attorney refuse to represent men?
Em
April 7, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Sorry, why the hell would any true feminist group oppose 50/50 as a mandatory assumption unless the parents themselves agree otherwise and why should they be barracking against the appropriate reduction in CS/Alimony?? Aww come ON! FFS, are we equal or not???
Ben
April 8, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Because, if you never got the memo feminism has never been for fair and equal, its always been for supremacy. This is just yet another demonstration of that as their sexism and biased views become more overt.
phu que
April 9, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Feminism isn’t about Equality any longer.
Yeah Nope
April 8, 2016 at 4:08 am
Feminists fighting against equality? I’m shocked! Oh wait, no I’m not.
Anyone else find it interesting that feminists have spent millions lobbying against every shared parenting bill for the last 50 years, while simultaneously claiming that default female custody is an oppressive part of the patriarchy, which they fight against.
Ben
April 8, 2016 at 12:46 pm
You sir have just nailed it.
Phil
April 8, 2016 at 10:35 am
Society obliging men to financially support a child is a ok, but the child having equal access to both parents? Nope!
Women in that situation may have to pay child support and that would be a travesty.
Phil Ford
April 8, 2016 at 11:18 am
Hypocritical bigots! Feminists are all about “equality” unless it means equality for men as well.
Ben
April 8, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Sounds like an fair and equal bill to me. However I am not surprised that feminists have a problem with it. Of course they would, they have always been against equality no matter what the shape of it.
John Grisham
April 8, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Follow the truth and you shall find that the only reason that the The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar is opposed to this bill is because they are in favor of MORE LITIGATION which equals more money for their attorneys. See the truth in the following article by National Parent Organization who got leaked documents that explain what the Family Section is doing https://nationalparentsorganization.org/recent-articles?id=22883
ben
April 8, 2016 at 3:44 pm
So instead of blindly splitting one parties assets 50/50, the court will determine, via financial records, how much alimony must be paid in order for one parent to support a child.
Seems pretty logical and sane, a much needed change for family court.
Yeah Nope
April 8, 2016 at 4:12 pm
Sadly most politicians have two primary concerns:
1.) Re-election
2.) Lobbyist money
The multi-million dollar feminist lobby provides for both. When taking that into account I don’t have much hope for this bill. Especially when outright lies such as those made by Heather Quick are used as opposition propaganda.
To rebut Quick’s lies; straight from the bill:
–In establishing a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule, the court shall begin with the premise that a minor child should spend approximately equal amounts of time with each parent. Using this premise as a starting point, the court shall formulate a parenting plan and time sharing schedule taking into account the best interest of the child after considering all of the relevant factors in subsection (3).
The bill is only 33 pages, if you haven’t read it, please do. It’s illustrates exactly why feminists oppose it.
Concerned Citizens
April 8, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Every family and every divorce is different. What works for John Doe will not work for Matt Smith and vice versa. To try to show square pegs into a round hole is counter productive. Too many loopholes, too many ways children will be harmed by this bill. So we will see you on the steps 🙂
Factsoverfeelings
April 11, 2016 at 5:44 am
How is this bil more harmful than what exists currently?
Tuco
April 9, 2016 at 11:49 pm
Oh yeah? What about Men’s Rights. Don’t men have the right NOT to be a slave for life? Forcibly extracting money from another person and forcing them to work is slavery.
EqualityForAll
April 10, 2016 at 11:27 am
This article is full of lies, as is Jacksonville family law attorney Heather Quick. Read the truth at http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/column-bill-aims-to-limit-children-as-leverage-in-divorces/2270206
Molly
April 14, 2016 at 3:43 pm
My company just received a slanderous review from one of those opposed to this bill. These people call the supporters of this bill “bullies” and then these are the tactics they use? Hypocrisy at its finest.
The comment posted read: “I will never shop at an establishment where the employees openly support hate groups that bully and belittle children.”
For the record, I am a divorced mother of three who shares 50/50 custody. I receive no alimony and I have a full time job at a small, independent business. You don’t have to work? Fine. But I think the blatant disregard for someone who actually has to work for a living is very telling about some of these people and the lengths they are willing to go to in order to protect their monthly “welfare” check.
Bruce Wayne
April 16, 2016 at 10:56 am
I just want to be a dad. I just want to have the time to raise my son. Giving less than 50/50 will hurt both of us.
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