TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Senate has passed a bill that would put an end to permanent alimony in the Sunshine State.
It's the latest attempt by Florida lawmakers to set new guidelines for the emotional issue of spousal support after marriages dissolve. A similar bill died in the Legislature last year.
The version that cleared the Senate on a 29-11 vote Thursday 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.
The bill (SB 718) generally would prevent courts from ordering alimony for longer than one-half of the length of the marriage.
The Florida House is considering similar legislation.
