The alimony reform movement in New Jersey

Guests: Amy Goldstein and Stuart Kurtz

New Jersey is just a handful of states in which permanent alimony — alimony that is paid until one spouse dies or the recipient gets remarried — can be granted regardless of how long a divorcing couple has been married. But lawmakers in the Garden State are now considering a bill that would eliminate the “forever” in alimony decisions. It would provide formulas for payments and their duration and would provide better mechanisms for alimony agreements to be modified. A similar law passed last year in Massachusetts. Those involved in the growing grassroots movement to reform alimony say the current system is antiquated and that leaving decisions up to the discretion of judges isn’t working. The other side of the argument is the same as it’s always been — women who gave up their education and employment opportunities to stay at home and care for a family deserve to be compensated for their time and labor. In this hour of Radio Times we ask what’s wrong with New Jersey’s alimony system and how can it be fixed. Joining us are AMY GOLDSTEIN, from the New Jersey law firm Capehard Scatchard and STUART KURTZ, a member of New Jersey Alimony Reform.

Photo by Flickr user Michael