TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Florida Alimony Reform (FAR) has officially launched its legislative campaign to change the state's outdated permanent alimony laws with the filing of HB 231 and SB 718.
Filed by Rep Ritch Workman (R-Melbourne), HB 231 revises the many factors to be considered when awarding alimony, including how much and for how long. The bill, which is scheduled to be heard by the Civil Justice subcommittee, sets alimony payments based on a percentage of the net income for the payer.
Companion bill SB 718, filed Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), eliminates permanent alimony and, among other things, requires the court to make written findings justifying any extension of alimony. The former spouse seeking alimony must prove need and the obligor, must have the ability to pay, under the proposed legislation.
Rep. Workman is bringing the bill back this session to finish the work he started last year when HB549 overwhelmingly passed by a nearly 3-to-1 margin.
"These laws need to be revised because there is no standard for allocating alimony amounts or duration," Alan Frisher, FAR's co-director and spokesman said. "Today's alimony laws are oppressive and harsh enough to create dire financial consequences for any money earner, forcing them into bankruptcy or, if they can't pay, sending them to jail."
FAR's goal is simple: Create a system whereby alimony serves as a transition to independence and doesn't result in a lifetime of entitlement.
"Permanent alimony forces divorced people to become bitter enemies until they die," said Debbie Leff Israel, founder of the Second Wives Club, a subgroup of FAR. "The laws surrounding divorce have become so complex that any attempt to modify an alimony order when circumstances change -- as is so often the case in this economy -- typically requires an attorney to be retained at a substantial cost, and with little possibility of ever getting a modification. It becomes even less likely for previously ordered alimony payments to be eliminated."
The Tavaras, Florida-based grassroots organization is seeking the following changes to existing laws:
- Removal of permanent alimony from current statutes;
- The need for alimony payers to have the right to retire at Federal Retirement Age or standard retirement age for high-risk professions;
- A defined amount on a formula that averages income for both spouses;
- Second spouses' income shall not be used to calculate an upward modification of alimony;
- Make the law retroactive so that those saddled with alimony payments can get payments modified to comply with the new law;
- Alimony payment for mid-term and long-term marriages should be set at half the length of the marriage as the default duration.
The Florida Alimony Reform logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11350
Founded in 2010, Florida Alimony Reform was created to change the state's antiquated alimony laws. Based in Tavaras, Florida, FAR represents more than 2,500 families across Florida.