Greetings!
The news is everywhere! By a vote of 83 to 30, the Florida House of Representatives voted Feb. 23 to make major changes to the state's antiquated permanent alimony laws, in HB549, sponsored by Rep. Ritch Workman (R-Brevard).
"This is a great day for families in Florida," said FAR co-director and spokesman, Alan Frisher. "Florida is joining the rest of the country in creating alimony laws for the 21st century."
Please Write Your Senators Now and Urge Them to Support the House-Passed Reform Bill!
EVERYONE, CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE HOUSE VERSION HB549 INSTEAD OF THE WATERED DOWN SENATE VERSION!!! Click Here to find and write your Senator.
These are the key points of the House Bill
***Requires that an award of alimony cannot leave the payer with less net income or with a lower standard of living than the recipient.
***Includes a rebuttable presumption that both parties will have a lower standard of living than during the marriage.
***Clarifies that adultery can only be used in determining alimony awards if it led to depletion of marital assets or a decrease in family income.
***Makes durational alimony the default, instead of the default being long-term alimony.
***Alimony will be 50% of the time of the marriage, unless there are special circumstances with written findings.
***Encourages need-based alimony, through bridge-the-gap awards, which can be combined with rehabilitative and then durational alimony.
***Codify current case law that permits people to file for modifications in anticipation of retirement, effective upon retirement, if they have reached the retirement of age of their profession, have retired, and have no intention of working.
***Removes a judge's ability to use a second spouse's income or assets in alimony modifications.
***Increases the definition of long-term marriage to 20 years from 17 years.
***Requires the court to reduce or terminate alimony if they find a supportive relationship has existed.
There is only 1-2 weeks left to make a difference with your Senators. IF YOU WANT MEANINGFUL ALIMONY REFORM THIS YEAR, THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME LEFT!
NOW is the time to contact your State Senators! Every Senator must be contacted by their constituents if we are to see meaningful alimony reform this year. Ask your Senator to support the House Version (HB549) as they vote in favor of SB 748.
Click Here to find your Senator. Do it now! Time is Critical!
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FAR Members Rally in Tally
Red Shirted FAR Members gathered Wednesday in front of the Florida Capitol Building, carrying signs that reading "Alimony Awareness Day Is Today." The media picked it up, and many spectators learned about Florida's Alimony Laws.
Following the demonstration, we walked up to the 5th Floor of the House Chambers and gathered together in the gallery watching . Rep. Workman waved to us from his House Floor Seat.
If you have never witnessed what takes place in the House and Senate Chambers, it is quite an experience. There were about three dozen bills being voted on and amended. They came rapid fire. Parliamentary Procedure on steroids. A legislator better have everything very well prepared and ready to answer pretty tough and/or slanted questions.
As the video shows, Rep. Workman was prepared, and Very Much in favor of alimony reform. FAR is making many ally's in the legislature and the media. The amendment on Wednesday was to have the retirement age dependent on the occupation, and allows retirement to be a substantial "change in circumstances" that justifies modification. That may not sound like a lot, but when you are dealing with the FL Bar, Family Bar, and some legislators still uneducated to the reality of our alimony laws, it's a Big Step.
History Being Made: The House Vote for HB 549
 | | Florida Alimony Reform Bill passes House of Representatives HB 549 |
This is a historic video and will give you the chance to comment. You can see how our legislature feels. Not everyone is in favor of alimony reform.
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Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times (formerly St. Petersburg Times) Need
YOUR Comments!
"House passes alimony overhaul bill"
Miami Herald
Numbers Matter! Please click here to see the Miami Herald article, then comment. Please thank every paper for covering the issue of Alimony Reform. The more comments they have, the more attention they pay to the issue!
"House passes alimony overhaul bill"
Tampa Bay Times
Now click here to see the Tampa Bay Times article, then comment! The more publicity we get, the better chance for meaningful alimony reform. |
FAR Continues to Grow.
Please Help FAR Grow FASTER!
FAR consists of alimony payers and non-payers alike, who are concerned with the consequences of Florida's current alimony laws. To update Florida's alimony laws this year, and to continue to improve these laws over the next few years is our mission. To accomplish these goals requires you, your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and families. We need more people! It literally will take an "alimony army" to deal with those legislators who do not understand, or refuse to understand, the horrible consequences of Florida's current alilmony law. Membership with FAR is free. It puts you on our email list so you can keep up to date with what is happening and what you can do to help. The easiest way to join is go to www.FloridaAlimonyReform.com and "Join Our Mailing List." If you would please update your information to let us know where you live, we can help coordinate groups and make sure every Representative and Senator will hear from FAR and our supporters. It also takes money. We have expenses including Press Releases, Publicity, our very dedicated lobbyist, and much more. All FAR workers are volunteers. So Please Pass The Word Around! Join FAR and help contribute. Many Hands Make Light Work!!
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Important Links for
Following HB 549 and SB 748
House Links
House Bill HB 549 - main page:
Senate Links
Senate Bill 748 - main page:
Senate Rules Committee: Florida Media Portal and The Florida Channel - To view live broadcasts of Committee Sessions:
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More Articles on Alimony Reform
Need Your Comments!!!
The ABA Journal posted on Feb. 1, 2012, continues to receive comments. There are 90 comments so far. Please let the American Bar Association Members know that Alimony Reform is long overdue.
Many Attorneys are beginning to ride the wave of Alimony Reform. To read what they are saying, check out just a few of the many Divorce Attorney Comments.
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Donations Needed!
Will you help us end your lifetime alimony?
Like it or not, it takes money to change a law in Florida. We appreciate any assistance you can give us. This is your opportunity to help update Florida's alimony laws.
We are volunteers, with jobs, bills, and permanent alimony payments. Please understand your contributions are helping end a debt that will Never Go Away. Ending lifetime alimony would be one of the wisest investments a permanent alimony payer could ever make.
If we pool our resources we can accomplish many things. Without the financial support, financial relief will be delayed. The process will take time. Thank you for making one time Donations and a Special Thank You for Monthly Donations. Thank You!
Donate Here (Until our alimony laws are changed, this will be a regular request and need. Thank You.) |
Thank You For Your Timely Response When We Ask For It Now is the time for action. We only have a few weeks to make a major update of Florida's outdated Aliimony Laws. Will YOU take the time needed to write, call or visit your legislators? Will YOU spread the word through Social Media, like FaceBook and Twitter? Will YOU ask your friends and family to Get Involved with alimony reform? We must grow FAR to be a Large Organization with Meaningful Alimony Reform. Please Help. We at FAR can only do so much. We need YOU. Thank You for Responding!! When you take action, we all will win. IF WE LET UP, WE LOSE! |
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Facebook and Twitter Icons are located on the FAR Home page on top right side.
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