Keep the current entertainment system. It works for both sides, protects families

Having practiced law for 17 years, I have experienced firsthand the stress families go through when they divorce. Having represented both sides of child support disputes, I understand the importance of fair and equitable statutes to the process.

I doubt that many people get married thinking that one day they will be in court arguing about issues like alimony and custody of their children. Luckily for all families in Florida, we have laws that protect both sides well.

Take for example the case of one of my clients, an elderly woman who is no longer able to pay her rent without the alimony she receives each month. Under current law, she has a clear need for long-term maintenance and with her husband’s ability to pay it, she can survive every month.

On the other hand, I have another client who got divorced after 23 years of marriage and agreed to pay alimony for 20 years. A few years after his divorce, his former spouse entered into a supportive relationship. Based on applicable law, this agreement has been verified against the customer file

Sheena Benjamin-Wise has been practicing law in Coral Springs for 17 years.

since the amendment lawsuit and the alimony payments have been discontinued.

I mention these two examples because two bills under consideration by the Florida Legislature this year would harm Florida families by depriving the court of the ability to consider all of the many complex nuances and circumstances involved with a family are connected.

For example, the bills also propose dramatic changes in children’s timeshares by establishing the “presumption” of an equal timeshare in every case. This simply means that even if a parent was absent or acted against the best interests of a child, they would be granted the same time-share as the parent caring for and supporting the child. This is not an area where you can ignore all the facts and the many intricate nuances of families.

Families are not as simple as these proposed laws might suggest. Therefore, I urge legislators to reject House Bill 843 and Senate Bill 1832.

Sheena Benjamin-Wise has been practicing law in Coral Springs for 17 years.