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If it weren't such a dangerous bill, it might be worth only a few snarky remarks about how people are not widgets, and human relationships should not be subjected to mechanical valuation systems. But this is a bill that threatens serious consequences and will affect women in ways that transcend economic concerns.
How is this new law bad for women? I don't even think alimony should exist PERIOD.
Location: Just transplanted to FL from the N GA mountains
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Gender neutral alimony.. okay. But I still believe you have to decide most alimony on a case by case basis. I know a couple, who were married for 30+ years. She had put her whole life on hold for his career. Raised the children, basically by herself, because of his work hours. And other than the financial support, yes which he earned 100%, he contributed nothing else to the marriage. Thirty years later he decides that its time to take a young, young, mistress, and then eventually walk out leaving the soon to be 50 year old ex wife holding the bag. Why? Because he needs to "find himself?" Yea, I know you guys will be saying, "Lucky devil". But I saw the devastation that this man caused in his wake. It turned out this woman got 5 years of alimony. Unable to get a decent job, she's barely making ends meet, and to this day is still struggling to pay off the debt this loser left her with. He got off too easy, now somewhere off with his young new wife, while the ex wife will still be a greeter at Walmart when she's in her 70's. And this behavior is okay?
Gender neutral alimony.. okay. But I still believe you have to decide most alimony on a case by case basis. I know a couple, who were married for 30+ years. She had put her whole life on hold for his career. Raised the children, basically by herself, because of his work hours. And other than the financial support, yes which he earned 100%, he contributed nothing else to the marriage. Thirty years later he decides that its time to take a young, young, mistress, and then eventually walk out leaving the soon to be 50 year old ex wife holding the bag. Why? Because he needs to "find himself?" Yea, I know you guys will be saying, "Lucky devil". But I saw the devastation that this man caused in his wake. It turned out this woman got 5 years of alimony. Unable to get a decent job, she's barely making ends meet, and to this day is still struggling to pay off the debt this loser left her with. He got off too easy, now somewhere off with his young new wife, while the ex wife will still be a greeter at Walmart when she's in her 70's. And this behavior is okay?
For every incident you can quote like that one, I can quote another where the wife left the husband with a house full of kids. Is he not deserving of the same support a woman deserves in a similar situation?
Location: Just transplanted to FL from the N GA mountains
3,997 posts, read 4,143,759 times
Reputation: 2677
Quote:
Originally Posted by stillkit
For every incident you can quote like that one, I can quote another where the wife left the husband with a house full of kids. Is he not deserving of the same support a woman deserves in a similar situation?
Why, or why not?
He is just every bit as deserving... Didn't you read the first four words of my post? And I would call a woman who walked out on her marriage after 30 years the same loser... There has to be some common sense here... and trying to tie all marriages into a neat little packages based on time doesn't quite cut it either.
For every incident you can quote like that one, I can quote another where the wife left the husband with a house full of kids. Is he not deserving of the same support a woman deserves in a similar situation?
Why, or why not?
I agree with child support but once the kids are on their one why should anybody be forced by the state to pay somebody else money because they choose not to live with each other anymore??? That is nonsense IMO. Go get a job.
I don't agree that alimony should be ended. Although, as most people work, it will end.
If you are male or female and, within the marriage, decide that one of you will forgo your career to stay home with the kids and you do so for many years, you have pretty much lost, forever, the earning potential you could have had if you stayed in the job market. This is not about women. It protects both marriage partners.
I only know one person receiving alimony. A male.
He and his wife both worked full time. She is a partner in a prestigious accounting firm downtown. He was a contractor for the government. After child number three, they decided it was better for the family for one of them to stay home. Since he made far less than she did, he was the one. He opted out of his career and has stayed home with the kids. The youngest one is now in elementary school. She has left him for another man. The economy has tanked, he *is* working but he still has not come close to what he would have made if he stayed in his old job (and his old job has been filled--it still there). So, he was awarded alimony and that is reviewed by the courts on an annual basis.
Location: Just transplanted to FL from the N GA mountains
3,997 posts, read 4,143,759 times
Reputation: 2677
Quote:
Originally Posted by KUchief25
I agree with child support but once the kids are on their one why should anybody be forced by the state to pay somebody else money because they choose not to live with each other anymore??? That is nonsense IMO. Go get a job.
I agree...get a job... but how does one spouse (either male or female) have a chance at succeeding with a new career after spending years supporting the more successful spouse? You make it sound like for the past 30 years they were sitting on their ass eating bon-bons and watching soap operas. While many of these other spouses may have held jobs outside the home too, their biggest priorities were their homes and families. And as such doesn't that account for something? Sure.. the marriage had problems, what marriage doesn't... and if one wants a divorce.. no problem. But to say that a person should be able to walk out of a marriage (specifically a long term marriage) and leave the other in a position of destitution show's a complete and total lack of character and ethics... I'm as big a proponent of responsibility as you are... in my example above.. there was absolutely nothing responsible about the man's behavior, whereas the woman has shown nothing but great responsibility.
I guess the answers to this topic will show a lot about character won't it?
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