A story from Tampa Bay Online, shows that sometimes being done does not really mean being done. The Florida legislature is considering another redo of the statues that govern Florida family law, Chapter 61. And although they just finished "tinkering" with the statute just last year, they are now proposing to further amend spousal support requirements for those who are ordered to pay alimony.
"We want to do things equitably and fairly," said Rep. Kelli Stargel. She said she knows men who have been ordered to pay so much in alimony that they're unable "to live their lives." Some told her that they would be better off financially if they simply stopped working. Representative Stargel is pushing a proposal that would stop the state's courts from automatically awarding permanent alimony when there's a divorce after a long marriage. The bill's proponents say it would also include safeguards to prevent the person paying alimony from becoming worse off financially than that the person on the receiving end of spousal support.
Last month, the House Civil Justice Subcommittee voted unanimously to approve Stargel's proposal protecting those who pay alimony. A similar bill is in the Senate, but has not yet been voted on.
A 56-year-old man interviewed for an article on the bill said it needs to go further in remaking Florida law. He was divorced in 2007 following 27 years of marriage. He said he was ordered by a court to pay $2,000 a month in permanent alimony from his $66,000 per year salary. He claims his ex-wife worked throughout their marriage, only to quit her job during their divorce.
Another divorced man said the proposed legislation "will stop the easy payoff, this easy money these women are getting." He claims he pays $700 per month out of a yearly income of $17,000.
When courts award spousal support they must look to the statutory factors of Chapter 61.08 that guides the award of spousal support, and are supposed to consider need vs. ability to pay, income, the couple's marriage lifestyle, the length of their marriage, their ages and health conditions, the contributions the two parties made to the marriage, assets and other factors.
If you are thinking about divorce or facing a family law related matter, please see our website for more information on your legal options or call Ocala Divorce and Family Law attorney at the Law Office of Anne E. Raduns, PA to find out how we can help. We employ a client based approach, which means that we are selective in the cases we take so that we can be available to our clients. We spend time with you to thoroughly understand the facts of your case, so that we can provide you with a comprehensive and realistic legal evaluation. Our process begins with a half-hour low-cost consultation. Call for your appointment today.
