Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Another day, another bill-signing deadline. Gov. Rick Scott has until Wednesday to act on 20 bills, all from the Senate, “including a bill that would expand courtroom protections for victims of abuse, and another that would repeal the prohibition on cohabitation,” according to LobbyTools Legislative IQ. If signed by Scott, “couples shacking up together would […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2016

State Sen. Kelli Stargel on Monday said Governor Rick Scott now has “all the information he needs” on her bill to overhaul the state’s alimony system. The measure (SB 668) was the final bill of the 2016 Legislative Session to be sent to Scott for review. It was delivered to his office after Stargel, a Lakeland Republican, briefly […]

Melissa RossMarch 10, 2016

Family law attorneys are blasting a sweeping overhaul of Florida’s divorce laws, saying they hope Gov. Rick Scott will veto SB 668. The measure does away with lifetime alimony in the state. Instead, the amount and duration of alimony would be determined by a formula. “It’s really going to affect women in a negative way,” said Jacksonville […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2016

A bill that could end “forever alimony” is heading to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott after passing the Florida Legislature Tuesday. The House passed the Senate family-law bill (SB 668) by a vote of 74-38 after Democrats tried but failed to tack on a last-minute amendment to ensure the bill can’t be applied retroactively to old […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives on Monday began considering a bill to overhaul the state’s alimony and child custody laws. The Florida Senate already has approved the measure (SB 668), which changes the way judges may award spousal support with an eye on preventing what’s been derided by critics as “forever alimony” awards. State Rep. Colleen Burton, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 4, 2016

The Florida Senate OK’d a proposal that overhauls the state’s alimony system. The Florida Senate voted 24-14 to approve the measure (SB 668), which changes the way Florida judges can award spousal support. “This is a very, very emotional thing,” said Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Lakeland Republican who sponsored the bill. Among other things, the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 3, 2016

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

The Senate Appropriations Committee OK’d its alimony overhaul bill, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate in the coming days. Among other things, the bill changes the way Florida judges can award alimony. The proposal (SB 668) allows the courts to modify alimony payments if there is a substantial change in circumstances. […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 28, 2016

I have spent almost 25 years studying alimony and if I have learned anything, it’s that alimony is complex. Reform can have unintended consequences and so should be the product of a careful, deliberative effort to understand and improve the law rather than a one-sided push to protect people who pay alimony by kicking recipients […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

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 […]

Tag: alimony

More bills from 2016 Legislative Session to be signed Wednesday

Kelli Stargel meets with Rick Scott on alimony bill

Family law attorneys blast alimony, child custody bill headed to Governor’s desk

Alimony overhaul bill heading to governor

Bill overhauling alimony, child custody hits House floor

Senate votes 24-14 to approve alimony overhaul bill

Alimony bill hits Florida Senate floor

Senate panel OKs alimony overhaul bill

Cynthia Lee Starnes: Rick Scott should block alimony reform, appoint task force

Alimony bill clears 2nd committee in Senate