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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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Senate panel OK’s alimony overhaul bill

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The Senate Appropriations Committee OK’d its alimony overhaul bill, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate in the coming days. Among other things, the bill changes the way Florida judges can award alimony. The proposal (SB 668) allows the courts to modify alimony payments if there is a substantial change in circumstances. The changes can occur for several reasons, including the person paying become unemployed or has reached the age to receive full benefits from the Social…

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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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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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House alimony reform clears last panel

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A bill aimed at effectively ending permanent alimony is heading to the House floor after clearing its last committee of reference on Thursday. The Judiciary Committee approved the measure (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, by a 14-3 vote. Chiefly, the measure limits judges’ discretion in awarding alimony by providing guidelines for how much an ex-spouse should get and for how long. The idea is that “no matter where you live, you can anticipate you will receive equal treatment,” Burton said. Her bill picked…

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Tom Lee will try again to overhaul alimony, custody laws

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State Sen. Tom Lee won’t give up on trying to amend Florida law on alimony and child custody.   On Thursday, Lee filed a bill (SB 250) to change the way divorces are handled in state courts. This marks at least the third time since 2013 that Lee, a Brandon Republican, has supported such an overhaul bill. It will be considered in the 2016 regular session.  The latest legislation – 41 pages long – would enact a raft of provisions, including:…

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