Controversial Alimony Bill Vetoed By Gov. Rick Scott

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Gov. Rick Scott has put an end to the debate over a controversial bill that would have overhauled the state’s laws related to alimony while enabling judges to give each parent in a divorce equal custody time of children.

Senate Bill 668 would have effectively ended permanent alimony in the state. In place of it, the bill would have based alimony on formulas related to the length of the marriage and spouses’ incomes.

Under the proposal, alimony and child support combined would have had a cap of 55 percent of the obligor’s income, according to the bill text. It also provided measures that would have allowed for alimony to be modified, such as an increase in recipient’s income or involuntary underemployment or unemployment of the obligor.

Child custody was also addressed in the bill to an extent. The measure would have advised judges to implement what amounted to equal time-sharing of children in divorce cases unless there were extenuating circumstances.

The bill cleared both the House and Senate and was presented to Scott on April 4. He officially vetoed the measure Friday after hearing from outspoken opponents and proponents both over the past few weeks.

Following Scott's veto, Dr. Ned Holstein, founder and board chair of the National Parents Organization, issued the following statement:

“While National Parents Organization is deeply disappointed in Gov. Rick Scott’s decision, we will continue to support the best interests of children by working to move shared parenting after divorce from the exception to the norm in Florida as well as nationwide. With research increasingly showing shared parenting gives children what they desperately need and want after divorce, we’re particularly troubled by Gov. Scott’s statement due to the tens of thousands of children who are at risk of unhappy childhoods as a result of his decision. Plus, the fact that Gov. Scott's office said supporters of the bill outnumbered opponents by 5 to 1 makes his veto even more concerning. Nevertheless, we look forward to working constructively with the Governor as well as lawmakers nationwide in the future to advance the true best interests of children – a childhood filled with the constant love and support of not just one, but both, parents after divorce.”

The National Parents Organization is a nonprofit "that seeks better lives for children through family law reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers after divorce or separation," according to its website.

While Scott vetoed the alimony bill Friday, he passed 20 measures on Thursday. One of the bills signed into law will allow parents to choose schools for their children that are out of county.

What are your thoughts on the alimony bill? Share them by commenting below.

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