ORLANDO, Fla., May 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Florida Alimony Reform, the largest alimony reform advocacy group in the country, along with the Alliance for Alimony Reform, a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation has joined forces to erect two billboards in Tallahassee that state "Do Not Get Divorced In Florida!" One billboard is close to the Tallahassee Airport and the other is on Capital Circle, where many politicians, lawyers, and local businesspeople conduct their day to day activities. The billboards show a large scale with large amounts of dollars on one side and a few coins to balance on the opposing side. The billboards direct the reader to "Learn Why" by going to the website "DoNotGetDivorcedInFlorida.com."
"The billboards certainly do catch your eye and make you think" says Alan Frisher, a Licensed Financial Advisor, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Spokesman and Co-Director of Florida Alimony Reform. "They are meant to alert the public as to the atrocities that happen on a daily basis to divorcing couples here in Florida and point people to our website for more information."
Frisher notes that the family section of the Florida Bar has made their intentions eminently clear in that they will oppose any change to current law. Since that is indeed the case, we are just recommending that people take their divorce business to other states that are more divorce friendly. This may allow the divorcing couple to keep more of their hard-earned money for themselves and their children, as opposed to having it wasted in the "antiquated and legally self-serving system here in Florida," Frisher states.
Dick Lindsey, President of the Alliance for Alimony Reform and divorced father of five, says even though Florida statutes are gender-neutral, the courts hand out (permanent) alimony with a bias against men and without consideration of their financial circumstances. The result, he says, has been "indentured servitude." Lindsey spent most of his divorce fighting for custody of his five daughters, which he obtained. But he was 'stunned' to find himself saddled with a court order to pay permanent alimony to his former wife, despite the fact that she was a skilled professional. "I raised the girls and she paid no child support," Lindsey complains.
Florida is one of the few states in the nation that allows for permanent alimony. Permanent alimony, according the Florida Alimony Reform website, only encourages the recipient to never remarry, to not work at all, or to hide income. It also forces divorced couples to return to court whenever circumstances change (oftentimes at a substantial cost), so neither party can ever move on with his/her life and must constantly live with the threat of litigation.
Current law in Florida doesn't have any cap on the amount of alimony a judge can award a person. Unlike child support, alimony doesn't have any formula. While there are guidelines that a judge can follow, there are no steadfast rules regarding the amount or duration. Ultimately, judges have unbridled discretion no matter what facts are presented to them. This leads to a lack of predictability and consistency from judge to judge and from case to case, even when case facts are similar.
Florida Alimony Reform representatives are currently working with state legislators to help change the law. It is hopeful that the "Do Not Get Divorced In Florida!" billboard campaign attracts enough attention to educate and inform divorcing couples about the current law, as well as educate and inform state legislators as to the need for change.
For more information, go to www.FloridaAlimonyReform.com
The Florida Alimony Reform logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11350
For interviews, contact Alan Frisher at info@floridaalimonyreform.com or 352-577-5706