ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A group known as the First Wives Advocacy is among staunch opponents of a new law signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis that abolishes so-called perpetual alimony.
The group justified its position by saying, “It has put older women in a situation that will cause financial devastation.”
Camille Malone Fiveash said changing Florida child support laws made her want to change her allegiance.
“I feel like the state of Florida is very unfriendly to women right now. I’m really disappointed because I’m a Republican. I voted for Governor DeSantis and I’m very sorry I did that,” Fiveash said.
Fiveash, who has been married for more than 30 years, said she was ok and made concessions in their divorce based on life spousal support.
“My ex-husband wanted me to stay at home. He wanted to pursue his career and I should take care of the children and make sure that the household and everything is perfect for him. Dinner was on the table when he walked in and all the wonderful things. And I’ve done these things. I kept my end of the bargain,” Fiveash said.
Proponents of the changes say it will force them to work long past their desired retirement age because of child support payments.
The law also allows ex-spouses to request changes to child support agreements if they wish to retire.
Nicole Pearlman, a family attorney from St. Petersburg, said she gets a lot of calls from her clients wondering what the changes really mean.
“Judgment will always begin with the needs and abilities that have not changed. So it doesn’t matter if there is an income difference or if you have been married for 20 years. If there is no need, there is no maintenance,” Pearlman said.
The law was also amended to force the court to reduce or end alimony if the person receiving alimony is in a supportive relationship, which is not necessarily a marriage.
“A lot of people think in their head, ‘Well, I’m not going to marry this person, so I still get an alimony. But that’s not how it works. And so it was forever. The law just put that in writing,” Pearlman said.
Fiveash has been fighting these changes for a decade and says the new law will only strain the pockets of lawyers and the elite of the wealthy.
“And the rest of us. The older women here in Florida. Well, we might just be collecting government support,” Fiveash said.
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