SB 1796 (Alimony Reform) sent to Governor

On June 17, 2022, SB 1796 was sent to Governor for signature. If he signs it or doesn’t veto in 14 days it will become law effective July 1st, 2022.

If you have anything to say for or against the bill you can contact the Governor here to express your thoughts.

SB 1796 (Alimony Reform) provides:

• Elimination of permanent alimony.

• Limits rehabilitative alimony to five years and bar the awarding of durational alimony for marriages shorter than three years.

• Provides durational alimony would be awarded for half the length of marriages that last between three and 10 years, 60% of the length of marriages of between 10 and 20 years, and 75% of marriages that lasted 20 years or more.

• Limits durational alimony payments to the recipients “reasonable needs” or 34% of the difference in incomes, whichever is less.

• Creates a “wind-down” period that would, in certain circumstances, permit a retiring ex-spouse, after providing formal notice, to reduce alimony payments 25% per year over four years.

• Adds safeguards to protect disabled recipients, or recipients who are the full-time caregiver of a disabled child common to both parties.

• Creates a rebuttable presumption that equal time sharing is in the best interest of children.

• Changes relocaion procedure to to require a substantial change of circumstances.