Letter to the editor: Support H-4029 Alimony Reform

A bi-partisan House/Senate committee has presented bill H-4029 to the Legislature for their consideration in modifying the current SC alimony laws. This bill recommends that permanent alimony be awarded only in exceptional cases and would remove that judgment option for many divorce cases in the state of South Carolina. This bill will recommend a reasonable nonpunitive schedule of alimony judgment. The bill supports that current judgments for alimony be modifiable. That decisions of alimony be made to encourage BOTH spouses to move forward with their families as thriving, growing, independent adults. Each spouse would be encouraged to participate in their own personal well-being. Divorce would no longer strip the supporting spouse of their right to retire and second spouses would not and could not be deemed a financial resource for payment of alimony upon change of job/income status of the paying spouse. This bill does not impact laws concerning child support obligations and should not be seen as a threat to child support payments. This bill is about alimony.

Our system is broken. This is the year 2016 and our alimony laws are supporting the ex-spouses roles of helpless women of the 1960 era. Both parties and their families are suffering from these laws. Neither spouse can move forward as fully functioning and thriving members of their community.

You can support the alimony reform Bill H-4029. Contact your representative and let them know you support this bill. For more information go to scalimonyreform.com.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Letter to the editor: Support H-4029 Alimony Reform."