Florida Looks to Modernize Antiquated Alimony Laws
Updated: Florida lawmakers have recently introduced parallel bills in the Florida House and Senate in an attempt to update current laws that reflect modern families in which both spouses work.
While the proposed legislation has its fair share of proponents fed up with a system that includes unwieldy, long-term alimony payments, as well as critics who say the proposed changes have taken reform too far, both sides acknowledge the necessity to improve an outdated system, the Huffington Post reports.
Key provisions of the bill—which will notably allow past divorcés and divorcées to modify existing orders in accordance with new legislation include:
• Limit maximum duration of alimony based on marriage length
• Terminate alimony at full retirement age (currently 66)
• Cap alimony at no more than 20 percent of payer’s net monthly income
The proposed legislation follows ongoing reform movements in other states, such as Massachusetts and New Jersey, notes the Huffington Post.
Updated Jan. 4 to clarify that reform movements in New Jersey are ongoing rather than completed.
