Changes to the way divorces are handled could be on the way, as two bills now pending in the Florida legislature will abolish lifelong alimony.

However, there is opposition to both the House and Senate proposals.

HB 1559, if enacted, would end perpetual alimony and create rules for judges to follow in deciding how much a partner receives. The bill reprioritizes alimony, in general, to ensure that all partners, now-ex-spouses, strive for full freedom.

The bill establishes provisions for a trio of different alimony types: two-year bridge alimony, five-year rehab alimony, and durational alimony, which is equal to half of the marriage's term. The bill would save people money by reducing the amount of time they may use in court.

Those opposed to the bill are concerned that it would affect existing divorce agreements. The bill will not be retroactive, meaning divorces that had already been finalized will remain untouched. Former partners will, however, return to court to re-settle their differences under the bill.

A 50-50 division of child custody period is also part of the bill.

If you have any questions about alimony, a Miami family law lawyer can prove highly useful in understanding what this is all about and how you may wish to proceed if you are facing or considering a divorce.

This information is provided for educational or informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.