TALLAHASSEE — A bill that would eliminate “permanent alimony” in Florida passed through a state House committee Thursday, and its next stop is the House floor.
State Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Republican, the bill’s sponsor, said this would alter family law to reflect an evolving American culture. He said the statutes should portray the country’s cultural shifts.
“Alimony laws have been on the books in Florida for way too long without serious reform,” he told the House Judiciary Committee. “Things have changed in the family and so should alimony.”
Workman said though the term “permanent alimony” would be done away with, conceivably, someone could receive alimony for life. The phrase “bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony” replaces permanent alimony. He pointed out that payments could still extend well past a former spouse’s life span.
Nevertheless the bill (HB 231), which passed 14-4, would end alimony where a spouse is locked in to receive payments for life, or until he or she remarries.
Also, the bill (HB 231) would make several other changes to alimony. Standard of living during the marriage would no longer be a factor in determining alimony payments. Also it would codify the presumption that both parties would have a lower standard of living after the divorce. And alimony would be limited based on formulas factoring in incomes and the marriage’s duration. Also once 'the former spouse who receives alimony reaches retirement age, the bill would require the payments cease.
"I am trying very hard to change alimony in a way that is gender neutral, where it supports the family, and it allows judges flexibility,” Workman said.
State Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, voted in favor of it because she too feels the system is “outdated.”
“Supporting families is a priority for me; however, when marriages dissolve, our laws should be fair and reasonable to avoid adding undue stress to an already difficult situation,” she said in an emailed statement. “This bill in no way diminishes the responsibility of either parent to provide for the needs of the children involved.”
On the Senate side, a companion bill has passed through the Judiciary Committee. Next it goes before the Rules Committee before going to the Senate floor.
