Many in Florida may know that the legislature is considering changing the state's alimony laws that were installed several decades ago. Although many agree that alimony laws may need some updating, they also caution against making overly drastic changes to this important aspect of family law. Currently, there are differing versions of the bill in the Florida House and Senate.

At first, the alimony reform bills, in both the House and Senate, included provisions to eliminate adultery as a component of determining spousal support and set strict limits on how long alimony would be paid. Furthermore, the bill would retroactively affect previously determined alimony settlements. Critics of the original bills argue that they were an attempt to get spouses out of their duty to pay alimony.

After concerns from activists and the Florida State Bar were voiced, the Senate has altered the bill by removing the previously mentioned provisions. The new proposal would still allow "long-term" alimony payments, but would limit the instances of permanent alimony. This bill puts more power back into the hands of judges directly presiding over divorce cases.

While critics of existing laws may have valid criticisms of how alimony is determined in Florida, there are others that urge caution while overhauling alimony. Organizations, such as the State Bar Association, support reform, but with the modifications made by the Senate.

When Florida's alimony statutes were passed many years ago, family dynamics and gender roles were much different than they are today. Taking that into consideration, it is important that laws reflect the nature of today's families, but that does not necessarily mean that alimony laws should stray too far from their intent. Alimony payments are designed to help a divorced person adjust to their altered financial situation resulting from their divorce. In the ideal scenario, alimony payments are set at a level that balances the financial needs of both spouses.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, "Senate committee waters down divorce-law rewrite," Kathleen Haughney, Feb. 9, 2012