Two similar, yet controversial, bills (HB 231 and SB 718) were filed with the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, respectively, that seek dramatic changes to the current alimony laws. 

HB 231 seeks, among other things, (1) to remove permanent, periodic alimony from current statutes, (2) to provide that alimony payments would automatically terminate upon the payee spouse’s normal retirement age for social security retirement benefits, (3) the payor’s attainment of retirement age and the payor’s actual retirement constitutes a “substantial change in circumstances” which may warrant a reduction or termination of alimony, (4) that the length of durational alimony cannot exceed 50% of the length of the marriage unless there are exceptional circumstances, and (5) that there is a presumption that alimony should not be awarded in marriages less than 10 years. 

 We will continue to monitor the status of the bills, but if you would like to read more about it please see

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/13/3233024/lawmakers-take-aim-at-limits-on.html. 

 To read the text of HB 231 please see http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=668555.docx&DocumentType=Amendments&BillNumber=0231&Session=2013.