Permanent Alimony as Indentured Servitude?
August 8, 2008That is the argument Florida-based Alliance for Freedom from Alimony, Inc. is making in its bid to end permanent alimony payments. In Florida, an individual can be forced to pay permanent alimony to their former spouse until one of them dies or if the former spouse remarries.
The Alliance argues that payment (which could be for decades) of permanent alimony is the equivalent of indentured servitude and that the duration of permanent alimony payments should be limited. Permanent alimony payments are limited in duration in other states, such as Texas.
This will be an interesting issue to keep our eyes on in the future.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/aug/08/alliance-for-freedom-from-alimony-inc-describes/
Nassau Florida Family Law & Divorce bLAWg www.jmmflaw.com 
It is hard to believe that in this century we are still paying alimony to divorced spouses.
It is the equivalent of asking a business partner to divide all the business assets equally and then turn around and pay again for the opportunity of being part of a failed business venture. Certainly, that would not be fair so why are we punishing divorced spouses? Is it the concept of divorce that we are punishing or the concept of marriage?
However, the flip side of that is anyone that enters into a marraige without a pre-nup is foolish indeed and particularly so in light of a divorce rate for American-American marriages running in the 52% range.
Even in our business we recommend that both partners get a pre-nup and INS reports that in our industry (Mail Order Brides) the divorce rate is only 20%.
David – Staff
http://LovedByHer.com
David,
You should be looking at alimony as severance pay! Just kidding!
I believe alimony is appropriate in some circumstances: rehabilitative, temporary, etc., but permanent alimony has probably outlived its appropriateness in today’s society of working women.
I agree that most people should have a prenup; but we both know they don’t. I think general everyday folks see prenups as something for the rich and famous. People don’t realize prenups aren’t that expensive and can save alot of heartache and money in the future.
The 20% statistic is impressive–but I’m just wondering if the number may be low because many of the brides do not have the resources to file for divorce or leave? I am not familiar with this industry, so I’m am thinking aloud here.
My husband and I are both professionals, married 6 years and pay permanent alimony in the “No Fault” state of Florida. We pay half his military retirement + $4000 to equal $6000 per month to a professional with a Masters Degree. She has her own income to equal approx. 60k per year. We are in the process of seeking reduction. This is a travesty. Rehabilitative with time limits- yes. Permanent alimony for want, not need – Slavery. Imagine being locked into such a situation. FYI – she divorced him. I have my own business, and file my taxes separately yet the court allows my income to be a part of the equasion. I thought Florida was a part of the United States. Does this sound constitutionally correct. During discovery ,we found her to be stashing away in retirement funds at least 20k per year. That’s all we can find but the numbers indicate more somewhere that may be hidden. Anyone who is in this atrocity knows how horribly antiquated such a law is and truly abused and the court system allows it to continue