TAVARES, Fla., Oct. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently met with Family Law Reform's Alan Frisher and suggested that 2014 may be the year for alimony reform provided that the new bill addressed the governor's concern about retroactivity.
"Current law, for permanent alimony payers, poses significant financial and legal barriers for modification," said Frisher. However, supporters of the new proposed bill hope that this will change if the new bill meets Florida Governor Scott's approval and becomes law.
At the end of the 2013 legislative session, Gov. Scott vetoed SB718 stating the retroactive adjustment of alimony could result in unfair, unanticipated results.
With Scott's implicit nod of approval, Family Law Reform will work with Rep. Ritch Workman, Senator Kelli Stargel, and the Family Section to address the retroactivity portion in the 2014 redraft along with these key elements:
- Removal of permanent alimony from the present statutes;
- Alimony payments will be modified or end at federal retirement age or standard retirement age for 'high risk' professions;
- A defined amount based on a percentage that is affordable, averaging income for both spouses;
- Second spouses' income shall not be used to calculate an upward modification of alimony for the former spouse;
- A formal definition for what constitutes 'a substantial change of circumstances'.
Family Law Reform was established with a few core individuals and now has grown to an organization with more than 6,000 members across the state of Florida. Frisher, a financial advisor and certified divorce financial analyst, got involved because he experienced first-hand how current alimony law in Florida caused immense hardship for those who had to support an ex-spouse until death, regardless of circumstance.
One of Family Law Reform's members suffers from Alzheimer's disease and is still forced to pay permanent alimony to his ex-wife, while another member, a hardworking woman, is forced to pay her ex-husband 65 percent of her salary because he refuses to get a job.
"We've been working towards reform for several years now and I believe this is the year that many of our members will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief and move on with their lives," said Frisher.
Following the meeting, Scott and Frisher also discussed the issue of child support guidelines and potentially making that issue part of future legislation.
On November 4, Frisher will be a guest speaker at the Orlando Inns of Court to discuss alimony reform. Attorneys and judges will also be present at this meeting.
Founded in 2010, Family Law Reform, Inc. is a not for profit corporation created to change our state's antiquated alimony laws. Based in Tavares, Florida, FLR represents more than 6,000 families across Florida. For more information about Family Law Reform, please visit www.FamilyLawReformUSA.com.