South Carolina Reform

Wyman Oxner from SC Alimony Reform wrote a feed back letter on their efforts at alimony reform in the state. Well put I say.

Reform the state’s alimony laws

To the editor:

It is time for the archaic alimony laws in South Carolina to be reformed in order to make the laws fair for both the payer of permanent alimony and the payee.

Our organization, SC Alimony Reform, has been trying to reform the laws for going on seven years, but we have been scuttled by a few members of the legislature each year. I believe we have enough votes in the legislature to reform the laws if our bills are allowed to have an up or down vote. I believe that everyone should have the right to retire without the burden of permanent life time alimony.

Our legislative supporters have re-introduced the following Senate bills that would:

• Create public policy seeking equity for both parties. No one form of alimony would be preferred over another.

• Create transitional and fixed-term alimony which would give judges more options.

• Allow payers to seek a reduction or an end to alimony at retirement.

• Bar consideration of subsequent spouse’s earnings.

Our House Representative supporters have also re-introduced a comprehensive bill that includes the main points of the Senate bills.

It is time to bring South Carolina into the 21st century and bring our alimony laws up to date. No person should have to pay another person for the rest of their life simply because their marriage failed.

— Wyman Oxner, Orangeburg, S.C.