Alimony Reform Again Close to Becoming Law

After a divorce, one spouse may be responsible for making alimony payments to their former spouse. Numerous factors go into determining alimony payment amounts and how long alimony must be paid. Whether you are a payor or recipient of alimony, it’s helpful to have a family law attorney on your side in case disputes arise or modifications need to be made. The Sutton Law Firm in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow, FL, is here to help.

A new bill in the Florida State Senate could result in major alimony reforms on July 1st. Other aspects of family law will be affected by this law as well. Our lawyers would like to cover the basics of the new state alimony laws on the horizon and what they could mean for spousal support payments moving forward.

About Senate Bill 1796

Senate Bill 1796 may become law effective July 1st. It updates many of Florida’s statutes regarding family law.

If SB 1796 is signed into law, it could eliminate permanent alimony in the state of Florida. While the bill would continue some other forms of alimony, such forms of spousal support are more limited in duration.

The Court’s discretion to establish the award based on the specifics of a particular family’s need is also restricted.

How SB 1796 Affects Life Insurance for Alimony

The payor spouse has historically maintained life insurance to protect spousal support payments. Life insurance helps cover necessary spousal support payments in the event of a payor’s death.

Senate Bill 1796 prohibits this requirement, though there are some circumstances where the recipient spouse may be able to purchase and maintain the life insurance.

What SB 1796 Means for Those Paying Alimony

Retirement is easier and more certain should Senate Bill 1796 become law, permitting a notice of retirement and automatic termination of support unless the receiving spouse objects. The basis for objection by the receiving spouse is specific and more limited than presently existing.

Supporting relationships, that is living with one’s significant other without the benefit of clergy, has been expanded to include the circumstance of such relationship when alimony is being initially established. This, too, is an expansion favoring the financial interests of the payor spouse.