Letters to the Editor
Alimony Laws need reform
We have in our society an unbelievably archaic system of forced financial hardship. It is known as permanent alimony.
This is found in our civil law and Family Court system. This is imposed quite often during divorces, and its hardships are generally unknown to most of our community. But understand that the payor (and this can be either male or female) must make this payment every month. And that is before any of his or her own living costs can be met. And this goes on until the receiving payee dies, remarries or the situation is changed by the court.
Thankfully, there are people working for change. South Carolina Alimony Reform is a group dedicated to making changes in these unfair and archaic laws. The process is slow but it is heartening to know that 25 states have made changes in their laws regarding alimony. No doubt, it is time for this to happen here as well.
There is resistance from some members of our legislature, but there is also support from some as well. Changes in this law would help bring fairness to this system. This affects the parties involved and children as well. A party paying permanent alimony will not have the money to do things for his or her children that they would like to do.
Please consider joining and supporting South Carolina Alimony Reform. A visit to scalimonyreform.com will give the latest in legislative efforts, links to a petition for reform and also some of the difficult stories of those burdened with this financial imposition.
“Divorce is not a crime. Alimony should not be a life sentence”
Gary White
Hartsville