On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Friday, August 31, 2012.
Legislators in one state recently passed a new bill that prohibits spousal abuse victims from being forced to pay alimony to their abuser. Those marital partners who were abused would no longer face making spousal support payments to convicted abusers under the new regulation. Many Chicago victims of spousal abuse would likely hope that similar legal protection be provided to all in the future.
A 39-year-old California successful financial planner and mother of two children was married to a stay-at-home husband. After suffering multiple both sexual and physical attacks from her husband, she taped the last incident. The husband was convicted, but as a part of the divorce, the judge still ordered the woman to pay $1,000 per month spousal support and to pay his legal fees.
The mother asked the California legislature for help, making them aware of the facts of her case. Most were shocked and outraged to learn that the court mandated that she pay alimony to her convicted physical and sexual abuser. In an unsurprising, but wise decision, the legislature unanimously passed the bill in August 2012.
The unanimously supported bill’s next stop is the Governor’s desk. All indications are that the Governor will sign the measure into law without delay. All abused spouses residing in California look forward to this new protection.
How do you feel about this proposed law protecting victims of spousal abuse? In your opinion, should any components be added to or subtracted from this law? Can you think of any possible, justifiable or moral reason the Governor may decline to sign the bill into law?
Source: CNN Radio, “Victim to victor,” Jim Roope, Aug. 27, 2012