TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Senate panel has passed a bill that would put an end to permanent alimony in Florida.
The Judiciary committee on Tuesday voted for SB 718 by an 8-1 vote. Democratic Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa voted against it.
The bill is similar to one that died in the Legislature last year. It would replace permanent alimony with spousal support that has a foreseeable end.
It also would make it harder to get alimony in short-term marriages. And the bill generally would prevent courts from ordering alimony for longer than one-half of the length of the marriage.
A family-law attorney voiced concerns about the bill to lawmakers but alimony-overhaul advocates - including Florida Alimony Reform - are in favor.
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