One stressful and legally complicated aspect of divorce is alimony. Many see alimony as an old-fashioned vestige of divorce. Others see it as a necessary way to help an individual who made financial sacrifices to help the family during marriage. Individuals who are facing a divorce should become familiar with alimony laws in Florida.
A Change in Florida Alimony Law?
On May 1, 2013, Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed Senate Bill 718, which would have changed several aspects of alimony law in Florida. As a Fox News article explains, alimony can currently continue indefinitely in Florida if warranted by the paying party’s and receiving party’s income and job prospects. SB 718 would have ended permanent alimony, making Florida the fifth state in the nation to do so. In addition to ending permanent alimony, the bill would also have set limits on the amount of alimony and the number of years it could continue after divorce. Governor Scott vetoed the bill because the alimony provisions would have applied retroactively, thus upsetting the financial expectations of many Floridians who currently receive alimony. However, if Florida lawmakers are able to override Governor Scott’s veto by a two-thirds vote in each house, then the provisions would become law.Read More