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Alimony - page 2

Alimony overhaul bill heading to governor

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A bill that could end “forever alimony” is heading to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott after passing the Florida Legislature Tuesday. The House passed the Senate family-law bill (SB 668) by a vote of 74-38 after Democrats tried but failed to tack on a last-minute amendment to ensure the bill can’t be applied retroactively to old divorce judgments. The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, said the bill was not retroactive, but Democratic critics said the bill’s language was…

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Senate votes 24-14 to approve alimony overhaul bill

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The Florida Senate OK’d a proposal that overhauls the state’s alimony system. The Florida Senate voted 24-14 to approve the measure (SB 668), which changes the way Florida judges can award spousal support. “This is a very, very emotional thing,” said Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Lakeland Republican who sponsored the bill. Among other things, the bill allows the court to modify alimony payments if there is a substantial change in circumstances, including unemployment or retirement. For years, former spouses have…

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Today on Context Florida: Super Tuesday, alimony reform, death penalty over spending and the benefits of fracking

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Today on Context Florida: Tim Bryce gives us what to expect from the GOP on Super Tuesday. Donald Trump has the momentum from victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. However, Bryce says this is a big contest and no primary should be taken for granted. Trump also has the advantage of holding good polling numbers going into Tuesday’s elections. Cynthia Lee Starnes has spent almost 25 years studying alimony. If she has learned anything, she says it’s that alimony…

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Alimony bill clears 2nd committee in Senate

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The Senate’s alimony overhaul bill cleared its second review panel Wednesday, though it was again rushed through in the remaining minutes of a committee hearing. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the bill (SB 668), aimed of getting rid of “forever alimony,” on a 5-2 party-line vote. As in its first hearing in the Judiciary Committee, the bill was last on the agenda. With time growing short, committee chairman Joe Negron limited speakers to one minute. There was time enough…

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Child time-sharing bill clears the full Senate

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The Florida Senate OK’d a proposal that creates the legal presumption that parents should get equal time with their children after a divorce. Senators voted 23-15 to approve legislation (SB 250) sponsored by Sen. Tom Lee, a Brandon Republican. The vote came about an hour after the Senate briefly temporarily postponed a vote on the proposal. “I made a promise to a couple of people that are very very close to me that if I ever had a chance to…

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Gut check: Legislative Session reaches midpoint

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With the half-way mark of the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: “… so close/And yet so far.” Take the 2016-17 state budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass each year. The House came in at $79.9 billion with the Senate proposing $80.9 billion. Sure, that’s only a billion dollars apart, but $1 billion is still a lot of money, even in Tallahassee. Lawmakers are set to…

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Lawmakers consider controversial alimony, custody changes

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Big changes could be in store for couples who divorce under legislation now being considered by Florida lawmakers. Measures to end permanent alimony and to push judges toward granting 50-50 time-sharing custody between parents are generating emotional arguments in legislative committee hearings. An alimony reform bill passed its second committee in the House last week, and is ready for a vote on the House floor. A child custody bill has passed one committee in the Senate. Backers say alimony reform…

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