Divorce

Governor DeSantis agrees to end the permanent alimony

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Permanent alimony no longer exists in Florida.

governor. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (SB 1416) that fixes Florida divorce law. The most notable change eliminates the possibility for divorced couples to remain financially linked forever.

This measure was among the last items passed by the legislature pending the governor’s action. It will go into effect on July 1, one day after DeSantis signs it.

The signing ends years of efforts to reform Florida’s divorce process. o. Joe Grotters, a Republican from Sarasota, sponsored the Senate bill. representative. John Templea Wildwood Republican, has championed the legislation in the House of Representatives.

Florida Family Fairness led a petition campaign encouraging supporters of the bill to reach out to DeSantis.

“This bill allows both parties to retire with dignity, while giving the courts discretion to protect vulnerable alimony beneficiaries,” the statement read. petition. “There has never been a more just and balanced proposal to change the old alimony laws in Florida.”

But any proposed changes to alimony have drawn opposition for years. the First Wives Advocacy Group She said the legislation puts women at a disadvantage in divorce cases, and ultimately also harms the children affected by the process.

“Our first concern is the retroactive application of the bill. Our second concern is the lack of implementation under the existing law, and our third concern is that the bill, in our opinion, has been passed for a decade by a terrorist group.” Jean Killilea. Women who criticized the Alimony Reform Bill were verbally attacked on social media.

The organization expressed surprise and concern that DeSantis signed the bill.

“On behalf of the thousands of women our group represents, we are deeply disappointed with the Governor’s decision to sign the Alimony Reform Bill,” a statement from Killilea read. “We believe that by signing it, he has put older women in a position that will lead to financial ruin. The so-called ‘family values’ party has just contributed to the erosion of the institution of marriage in Florida.

Supporters of the bill say that fear of retroactivity is misplaced, and that lawmakers have made sure that legislative language will not affect existing divorce decrees and settled cases.

In practice, divorce lawyers say, the new law incorporates into the law several changes that have slowly unfolded within the courtrooms.

“We don’t expect the changes to alimony in Florida to have a profound impact on what we do at DeWitt Law Firm,” said the attorney. Moses DeWitt. “It would simply codify a lot of what case law already says. Although there will be some changes, I don’t think we’ll see much of an impact on the amount or length of most alimony awards. The changes are likely not to be as drastic as some might think.”

The concerns of women’s groups prompted DeSantis to do so vetoed a similar bill The legislature passed it last year. Before DeSantis, Governor. Rick Scott also Violation of previous legislation Dealing with the same topic.

Gruters believes lawmakers have finally found some room to compromise on this issue. The Florida Bar Association’s family law division opposed legislation last year, but this year it has expressed support.

“I appreciate the Governor signing the SB 1416 legislation into law. It is long overdue and a win for Florida families,” Gruters said. “Special thanks to House Speaker Rep. John Temple and (attorneys) Lisa Hurley And Nelson Diaz for your hard work.”

The parties to the negotiations said they had found a suitable place for all those involved in the divorce legal proceedings.

“Family Law Division of the Florida Bar Association supported legislation to make reasonable amendments to Florida alimony statutes at this hearing, including rescinding permanent alimony and maintaining Pimm’s longstanding decision, which relates to the effects of retirement on alimony awards,” reads: joint statement Submitted by the Head of the Family Law Department Sarah Kay And the immediate previous boss Philip Wartenberg.

“Importantly, and distinguishing it from previous legislation, this bill did not include provisions that would adversely affect existing alimony awards or harm Florida families.”

The couple released a statement after signing the bill praising DeSantis.

“We thank Governor DeSantis for signing the legislation into law providing for rationale amendments to alimony, including eliminating permanent alimony and maintaining long-term alimony Bim “The decision regarding the effects of retirement on alimony awards,” said Kay and Wartenberg.

“Most importantly, the department was grateful to work with the sponsors of this legislation during the 2023 session to ensure it does not negatively impact existing alimony awards or harm Florida families.”

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