CONTACT GOV. RON DeSANTIS AND ASK HIM TO SIGN CS 1796 INTO LAW
Florida Family Fairness, Inc., has done everything we can do to get CS 1796 to the Gov., but if he doesn't see widespread support we could lose the one signature that we need to make CS 1796 law. It's up to you, all of you.
If this group doesn't flood his office with daily calls and emails, it will be a shame.
Please use the link and information below:
GovernorRon.DeSantis@eog.myflorida.com
Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 488-7146
PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION TO SUPPORT FAMILY LAW REFORM
Take a moment to sign our petition to support 2022 Alimony Reform, and forward to your friends, family and supporters to do the same. It is very important that we show Gov. Ron DeSantis overwhelming support for this much needed change to Florida's outdated and destructive divorce process. Please do not donate via the change.org link. Donations should be made on this page, using the red links at the top and bottom of the page. Thank you!
BREAKING NEWS - IN A HISTORIC 74-42 VOTE, THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JOINED THE FLORIDA SENATE IN PASSING ALIMONY REFORM
A huge "thank you" to House Speaker Sprowls, Senate President Simpson, and our sponsors, Sen. Gruters and Rep. Persons-Mulicka, for having the courage and conviction to pass meaningful alimony reform to finally change Florida's outdated alimony laws. The change will bring Florida in line with the many other states that have reformed alimony laws in previous years. SB 1796 provides consistency, uniformity and predictability that will allow families who are going through divorce the ability to limit destructive litigation and transition the parties toward independence and self-sufficiency. We now look to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign SB 1796 into law.
Call and email Gov. Ron DeSantis today to ask for him to sign SB 1796 into law.
Senate Bill 1796 brings Florida in line with most other states in eliminating permanent alimony, and creating reasonable durational limits to provide predictability and consistency to the divorce process. This will allow families who are going through what most describe as their most difficult time, a predictable outcome that will foster settlements and cause less financial destruction. Families shouldn't be financially drained by the process itself. The system currently is replete with vagueness and unpredictability that causes families to be taken advantage of by unscrupulous divorce lawyers and litigants.
Alimony Reform by way of SB 1796 allows both parties in a divorce to transition toward independence and self-sufficiency. It also creates statewide uniformity, predictability and consistency that will encourage and facilitate settlements, which will help limit financial destruction by prolonged litigation in alimony cases. Positive changes for Florida's Families!
Senate Bill 1796 is gender-neutral – it is time to retire Florida’s antiquated alimony laws to reflect our modern reality where trends show an increasing number of alimony payors are women. End permanent alimony now and allow hardworking people to retire. Support SB 1796 today by signing our petition, donating to alimony reform and contacting Gov. DeSantis to ask him to sign this excellent bill into law!
A CONSENSUS TO END PERMANENT ALIMONY
Through extensive negotiation and discussions with leadership from the Family Law Section of Florida Bar, we have finally received consensus on eliminating the concept of permanent alimony in Florida. Phillip Wartenberg, testifying on behalf of the 3700+ members of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, told the Civil Justice and Property Rights subcommittee that "we believe the time has come to move away from this concept of permanent alimony." Society has changed, and its time for the Florida Legislature to end the current archaic system that, after the equal division of marital assets, can order one divorced spouse to pay the other until death. The concept of permanent alimony is archaic and creates dependency and gamesmanship of the system. Alimony payors should be allowed to retire and enjoy their golden years without perpetually supporting another capable adult. Equitable distribution equally divides marital assets acquired during the course of the marriage, and alimony should only be ordered for a reasonable amount and for a reasonable time. Independence and self-sufficiency should be the legislative goal.
Senate Bill 1796
The 2022 alimony legislation is a result of a collaborative effort between the leadership in both legislative chambers as well as Florida Family Fairness Inc. - an organization headed by volunteers who are also permanent alimony payors and have been diligently working to change the outdated alimony laws in Florida. The collaboration also included extensive negotiation with the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. The primary benefits of the 2022 Bill are as follows (although there are many other positive changes):
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Provide for an end to permanent alimony in Florida (Florida is only one of only a handful of states still providing for permanent alimony);
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Limits durational alimony based upon the length of the marriage;
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Creates a reasonable alimony formula, similar to the child support guidelines, that defines obligations and reduces costly litigation;
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Allows all alimony payors the right to retire and terminate alimony, while protecting truly vulnerable recipients;
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Closes loopholes in the current laws that encourage gamesmanship and excessive litigation;
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Creates uniformity and consistency statewide to provide consistent outcomes;
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Reduces lengthy and costly litigation that preserves the marital estate for the benefit of the parties and their children, and not the divorce lawyers.
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Creates an equal-timesharing presumption that puts both parents on equal footing when they start the divorce process, while still providing the judicial discretion for the Court to utilize the twenty (20) factors in current law to always do what is in the best interests of the child.
How can you help?
1) CONTACT Gov. Ron DeSantis and ask him to support alimony reform by signing SB 1796 into law. Please email and call the Governor's office and respectfully request the Governor's support. Tell your story, explain that you are a voter who supports alimony reform. Please be respectful.
2) SIGN OUR PETITION to show support for SB 1796.
3) DONATE TO FLORIDA FAMILY FAIRNESS, INC.
We need your financial support . We are asking everyone to donate one month of alimony in order to fully fund this effort. You can do so by sending a check to:
Florida Family Fairness, Inc.
Attn: Noreen Fenner
1103 Hays Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Additionally, you can go to the following link, or click on the red "Donate Now" button below:
https://secure.anedot.com/florida-family-fairness-inc/donate
About Us
Not all marriages last, but that does not mean families should go to war and be destroyed in the process. At Florida Family Fairness, we support legislation that will bring families together, not tear them apart. It is time that Florida changes its antiquated system and adopts fair alimony laws that create uniform and consistent standards for judgments across the state. Clear guidelines will create uniformity and provide those facing divorce with a framework that will perpetuate settlements and avoid protracted and expensive litigation.
As a completely volunteer-run organization, we are building upon our 2020 and 2021 efforts to turn our excellent alimony-reform bill into law. Your continued support is critical to our success.
It’s Time for Change
Florida is just one of a small number of states that still have permanent alimony. Our permanent alimony laws require the payer to pay alimony until death or until the ex-spouse remarries.
Florida Family Fairness supports legislation that represents the modern family unit and encourages independence and self-sufficiency for both parties. We also support a system that doesn't reward protracted litigation and enrich the lawyers while depleting hard-earned family assets.
Divorce is difficult, but it is even more difficult when there are vague and archaic laws that benefit divorce attorneys, deplete hard-earned marital assets, and leave families as the victims. Our mission is to establish clear laws that will create predictability, uniformity and consistency statewide. It's time to eliminate permanent alimony, cap durational alimony and create an alimony formula that will provide clear guidelines. This will establish parameters, within which divorces can be easily settled. The law should foster adults to be self-sufficient and independent. We further believe that the law should provide everyone the right to retire and enjoy their golden years.
Change is past due, and 2022 is the year to finally modernize Florida's alimony laws.
DOnate
Donors like you will make our efforts successful during the 2022 legislative session. Please consider donating today by clicking the DONATE NOW button, or make check donations payable to: Florida Family Fairness, Inc. and mail to the address below:
1103 Hays Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Leadership
Chairman - Marc Johnson
Prominent Attorney, Marc Johnson, is the Chairman for Florida Family Fairness. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law. In 2009, Mr. Johnson co-founded the law firm of Larson Johnson, P.L., a prestigious law firm based in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Johnson is committed to changing Florida's antiquated laws that do more to harm families than to help them rebuild after a divorce. "I believe that the current system tears families apart by creating and fostering acrimony when a family is going through what most say is the hardest time of their lives. Florida needs laws that provide fairness, uniformity, consistency and predictability to the process. Laws that will allow families to build fulfilling and productive lives after divorce, rather than the current adversarial system that promotes litigation and gamesmanship, while financially decimating families to enrich divorce lawyers."
Vice Chair - Tanya Williams
Tanya Williams, DMD is the Vice Chair for Florida Family Fairness. She is a graduate of the University of Florida School of Dentistry. She served in the US Army Dental Corps as a Captain stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas where she served for two years, working closely with and training under the oral surgery residents. Following this, she returned to Florida to work for the Department of Corrections. She has obtained a mini-residency in Pediatric Dentistry and attends Dental Continuing Education courses. Tanya has been a victim of Florida's alimony laws and is committed to fixing the laws that currently punish hard-working wage earners.
Treasurer - Michel Buhler
International Business Expert Michel Buhler is the Treasurer and an integral member of the leadership team for Florida Family Fairness. Mr. Buhler received his bachelors degree from Cornell University and earned his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the Corporate Development Officer at Terra Towers Corporation. Michel is dedicated to creating an alimony structure that is fiscally responsible, fair and sensible for families affected by divorce. Michel believes that after the marital estate is equitably distributed, alimony should exist for a reasonable amount and for a reasonable period of time, toward a goal of independence and self-sufficiency.
Secretary - Alan Elkins
Orlando Attorney Alan Elkins is the Secretary for Florida Family Fairness. He is a skilled, knowledgeable and experienced 40+ year Florida Family Law attorney who is well known for his advocacy for Family Law Reform. Alan is a lifelong Floridian who graduated from the University of Florida and subsequently received his Law degree from Nova University Law school. He currently practices in the Orlando/Central Florida region, and consults and handles cases statewide. Alan has a wealth of knowledge and experience in family law matters and is committed to updating section 61.08, Florida Statutes, to bring Florida's alimony laws into the 21st Century.
In The News:
"Florida Family Fairness chair, Marc D. Johnson: Gov. DeSantis should sign alimony overhaul bill
On behalf of thousands who have been exposed to Florida’s family courts, Florida Family Fairness is urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign into law a bill (SB 1796) to modernize Florida’s family laws. The reasonable bill that passed during the 2022 legislative session is a thoughtful and well-planned approach that would bring Florida’s alimony laws in line with other states, creating predictability and equity in a process that has historically torn families apart.
REad the full article here:
https://amp.tallahassee.com/amp/7126443001
The Legislature has agreed to abolish permanent alimony, give ex-spouses who pay alimony a “pathway to retirement,” and create a legal presumption that equal time sharing is in a child’s best interest.
The House voted 74-42 on March 9 to approve SB 1796 by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Ft. Myers, sponsored the House companion, HB 1935.
“This bill is the fairest and most equitable alimony reform bill that has been presented to this Legislature,” Persons-Mulicka said. “It balances the goal to protect those who need alimony the most, with the goal to reduce the need for exhaustive and costly litigation.”
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Write gov. ron dEsantis
Write a letter to Governon Ron DeSantis and ask him to sign SB 17996 into law. Tell him your story, explain why reform is necessary. Be part of the support for SB 1796. Click the link below to email Gov. DeSantis.
