Disabled Florida Veteran Chooses Jail Over Paying Alimony

A disabled Marine veteran of the Gulf War has opted for jail time over paying his ex-wife alimony.

Terry Lynn, 45, was taken into custody by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday on one count of nonsupport of dependents. He remained behind bars Thursday in lieu of $1,575 bond, according to jail records.

While Lynn is trying to retain his VA disability check of $1,500 a month for his own use, he also told MySuncoast he’s making a stand for veterans who find themselves in the same boat. While federal law says disability checks are exempt from alimony payments, Florida doesn’t see it that way, he contends.

Florida law enables judges to award alimony in divorce cases. While statutes don’t specifically say VA disability checks have to be used to fund payments, Lynn said the state doesn’t really care where the money comes from as long as it’s paid.

That $1,500 a month, Lynn told MySuncoast, is his bread and butter.

“It’s how I pay my bills,” the station quoted him as saying.

Lynn said his goal isn’t to fight for himself, but to effect a change that would protect Florida’s disabled veteran population.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated there were more than 1.5 million veterans living in the state of Florida as of September 2013. About 1.1 million of those veterans are wartime veterans.

It is unclear if Lynn has income from other sources, but he is on full disability. His booking record in Charlotte County also lists him as disabled.

What are your thoughts on this? Should Florida change its alimony laws? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

Photo Credit: Terry Lynn/Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office