As discussed in the previous post, a recent column in Forbes discussed some of the pushes for alimony reform that are occurring around the country and what may be some pros and cons regarding these reforms.

On the one hand, the reforms are being brought about to avoid abuse of the spousal support system. One ex-spouse may complain that they are supporting a young ex-spouse who is capable of gaining their own career or remarrying, but the ex-spouse avoids being self-sufficient because they can rely on alimony for the rest of their life.

On the other side of the spectrum, however, these reforms could take away the protections for the lower-income spouse for which alimony was created. Some of the alimony reforms propose to have alimony only last for a few years and be phased out while the lower-income spouse adjusts financially post-divorce.

These reforms could potentially hurt older women who may not have many job prospects later in life and may have been out of the job market for many decades while supporting their husband and/or raising children. This could go the other way around as well, but is not as common. An older woman divorcing after 30 years of marriage may have sacrificed building her career or gaining more education because she was supporting her husband. She may be facing more uncertainty as to her financial future with alimony reform.

The new laws in other states may or may not grandfather the changes in the law into cases from the past. Whichever side of the coin you are coming from, a qualified and experienced divorce attorney can help you seek a fair alimony arrangement with your ex-spouse.

Source: Forbes, "Alimony Reforms Continue to Create More Uncertainty for Divorcing Women," Jeff Landers, Jan. 18, 2012