Letters to the Editor

Alimony a drain

 

Re the Nov. 10 article Florida group pushes for more alimony reform: My wonderful husband is unable to retire because he has been condemned to paying permanent alimony to his ex-wife. Many years have passed since they divorced. The judge’s ruling has been advantageous to the ex-wife, who stopped working and relishes the monthly alimony payment my husband must make.

One wonders that in the United States, home of the women’s-rights movement for equality and fairness for both sexes, a judge would give someone a permanent financial burden.

What happens when that person reaches retirement age but is still laden with this financial responsibility? My concern has nothing to do with child support or the equitable distribution of assets. However, there should be guidelines allowing alimony until an ex-spouse becomes self sufficient.

Florida has a formula for child support and equitable distribution of assets, but fails miserably in having one for alimony rulings. If alimony reform passes, I hope lawmakers make it retroactive, so that thousands of Floridians have a chance at retirement.

Maria D. de la Borda,

Boynton Beach

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