Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends divorce and child custody procedures, effective October 1, 2016.

Vetoed by Governor Rick Scott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends divorce and child custody procedures, effective October 1, 2016.

Highlights:

• Establishes low and high end formulas to determine the amount and length of time that alimony payments must be fulfilled following a divorce based on the length of the marriage and the differences in income between the 2 parties (Sec. 2).

• Requires a court to begin a child custody case with the presumption that the child will spend equal time between both parents before taking discretionary factors that affect the welfare and best interest of the child into account (Sec. 3). 

• Authorizes an alimony obligor to file a petition to alter or terminate alimony payments upon retirement (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes a party to pursue immediate modification of alimony if the income earned by the other party exceeds by at least 10 percent the amount imputed to that party when the existing alimony was determined (Sec. 4).

• This is a substitute bill sponsored by the Senate Appropriations.

Full Bill Text