Advocacy Group Applauds New Jersey Lawmaker's Efforts to Update Antiquated Alimony Laws

RAHWAY, N.J., Jan.  4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A New Jersey senator is earning accolades for his decision to join a nationwide movement in updating the state's antiquated alimony laws, following Massachusetts' overhaul of its out-dated laws in September 2011. Tom Leustek, director of the grassroots organization leading this effort in New Jersey, is thrilled that Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) recently announced he will submit legislation establishing a blue ribbon panel to study the issue, in preparation for revamping laws widely considered to be harsh and out of step with current social and economic realities.

"We applaud Senator Kean for listening to our research and our members, whose lives have been shattered by laws written when divorce was rare and women had no economic power of their own," declared Mr. Leustek, Director of New Jersey Alimony Reform (NJAR). "Those days are long gone, but these laws linger on and cause terrible, long lasting damage to the entire family. No one knows about them until they're in divorce court, and then, it's too late. Lifetime alimony means that there is no guaranteed end even at retirement."

"New Jersey is an outlier in its alimony practices," Leustek says. "In New York and Pennsylvania, and much of the rest of the country, lifetime alimony is as out-of-date as rotary phones." He also notes that alimony awards have nothing to do with child support obligations.

Senator Kean's announcement on December 28, 2011, points out that "the existing law does not set adequate limits on the length and amount of alimony payments or provide for adjustments as a result of changed life circumstances." While alimony may be appropriate as part of a divorce decree, he believes that "there needs to be common sense limits to what is a highly onerous judgment for the party responsible for paying."

NJAR supports alimony for a defined period to either spouse, if necessary. Under current law, it is routinely awarded to ex-spouses who are highly-paid; to those ending short-term marriages; to drug addicts, alcoholics, and debtors; and it is awarded even when payments cause great hardship. Payors may petition to modify if circumstances change, but downward modifications are rare.

Leustek, a college professor ordered to pay permanent alimony to his ex-wife, a PhD. licensed psychologist with a private practice, co-founded NJAR in the summer of 2011, just as legislators in Massachusetts moved to vote unanimously in favor of new laws that were created by members of that state's Bar Associations and by advocate Stephen Hitner, founder of Mass Alimony Reform.

Do you or a family member pay lifetime alimony – or are you afraid you might have to? NJAR is looking for members – men and women – and for horror stories. Please visit http://www.njalimonyreform.org/ to sign up for FREE membership.

Contact: Thomas Leustek 1-908-866-6527 [email protected]

SOURCE New Jersey Alimony Reform