Changes Made to Alimony Laws

Even though they have already made revisions to the state's existing alimony laws, legislators in Polk County are not quite finished yet. The new bill, sponsored by Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, would significantly change the way that courts award alimony.

Rather than automatically awarding alimony to those who have been in long-term marriages, courts would have to reconsider their approach. This is to avoid those paying alimony from getting into financial trouble themselves. According to Stargel, "There have been situations of men who I knew who were paying so much in alimony that it was keeping them from being able to live their lives. Some said that they would be better off just to quit their job."

The proposed bill was approved unanimously by the House Civil Justice Subcommittee last Friday and several companion bills have been referred as well since then. Under this new bill judges must ensure that those who are paying alimony will not wind up with less net income than the recipients of the funds. In addition, the length of alimony would also be revised. As it stands now permanent alimony ends only upon the remarriage of the person receiving it or death.

Are you planning to seek alimony?  If so, contact our law office to discuss your options with a Long Island family lawyer.