By Anna E. Meddin, Esquire
www.meddinlaw.com
Florida Governor Rick Scott says no to SB 718.
By vetoing SB 718, Governor Rick Scott has given Floridians peace of mind that their permanent alimony will not be retroactively adjusted. The controversial bill would have abolished permanent alimony and make it harder to get alimony, let alone for a lifetime.
The current Florida alimony statute defines a short-term marriage as a marriage lasting up to 7 years. A moderate-term marriage is presumed to be between 7 years but less than 17 years, and a long-term marriage is a duration of more than 17 years.
On the other hand, the bill defined a marriage of less than 11 years as short term–no alimony. It might be possible to get alimony if you were married for 11 years but less than 20 years. For marriages of a duration of greater than 20 years, there is a presumption of alimony at no more than 35% of the ex-spouse’s gross income.
However, I believe that this bill will return to the senate floor next year without the language regarding retroactive alimony adjustment language and pass. So if you plan on filing for divorce and you are eligible for alimony, consider filing for divorce sooner rather than later.
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