Members of the group Florida Alimony Reform (FAR) assembled recently to testify in favor of HB 549, a proposed bill intended to reform Florida's alimony laws. Members of FAR travelled from all around Florida to speak before the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. One important aspect of the proposed law concerns permanent alimony payments. Proponents of the bill expressed that this kind of payment causes extreme hardships for paying parents. Under current Florida law, people who pay permanent alimony must make payments even after old-age retirement or retirement because of disability. Many people consider Florida's current alimony laws to be among the most antiquated in the country.

Reportedly, only two members of the Subcommittee voted no on the proposed bill. Now HB 549 will progress through the Florida legal system.

In response to the vote, a FAR co-director had this to say: "I'm extremely pleased with today's hearing and votes. It's clear from the widespread support for this bill that alimony reform is urgently needed."

During the debate after the testimony, one state representative claimed that the current alimony system discourages remarriage. The representative added that judges should have more specific criteria for ruling on alimony issues.

Florida residents from a variety of backgrounds appeared at the hearing to provide testimony. A dentist said that he paid permanent alimony to his ex-wife, who also is a dentist. Another man testified that for ten years he had made lifetime alimony payments to a healthy 33-year-old woman, while he cared for their three children and the woman lived with another man. A Florida man with throat cancer said that 80 percent of his income went to lifetime alimony payments. Another man said that, as a result of his alimony payments, he had filed for bankruptcy once and may have to file again.

Other individuals testified to a range of hardships said to have been caused by lifetime alimony.

As the proposed bill makes its way through the legal system, Orlando residents who are facing similar issues would do well to look into the newly proposed bill, as well as current alimony law. Engaging the services of a Florida alimony attorney is likely the best option for ensuring that the rights of all parties involved are duly protected.

Source: Market Watch, "Members of Florida Alimony Reform Group Tell Their Personal Stories of Hardship and Unfair Treatment to Florida's House Civil Justice Subcommittee," Dec. 7, 2011