A controversial bill derided as anti-woman and also praised as pro-family is heading to Gov. Rick Scott.
The legislation revamps Floridas alimony laws.
It eliminates permanent alimony, allows ex-spouses to try to reduce or end payments when they retire, and puts a cap on alimony based on the length of the marriage and a persons income.
The new standards are based on how long a marriage lasted. It would be tougher to collect alimony from a marriage lasting less than 11 years, but easier for marriages lasting 20 years or more.
Critics say the measure hurts women who stayed at home to raise families.
Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, says his bill gives judges a lot of leeway, so nothing should change for those who have been receiving alimony for a long time.
So, if you have a 65-year-old person thats been receiving alimony for 30 years, it doesnt matter what my bill says," Workman points out. "The judge is not going to take away that alimony. Thats just a scare tactic being used by some very greedy lawyers.
Workman says the bill is designed to prevent alimony from lasting more than half the time of the marriage, but judges will have the power to consider other variables to decide whats best for individual cases.
"... The judge can say, Wait a minute. We have a handicapped situation. We have a mental illness situation. Maybe we have a 12-kids situation. Lots of situations the judge can simply say, Seven-and-a-half years on a 15-year marriage isnt enough. Im going to grant 15 years' alimony and heres why. As long as they put those findings in writing, were good to go.
Video Credit: Dave Heller
Dave Heller is a Tallahassee freelance reporter/videographer.
