Cash-Strapped Divorcees to SC: End 'Archaic' Lifetime Alimony

A grassroots group of South Carolina divorcees is pushing legislation to end lifetime alimony payments in the Palmetto State.

South Carolina Alimony Reform, an Orangeburg-based organization of 900 members, last week lobbied the state Senate in a bid to end what they called an “archaic” and unfair money drain.

They told lawmakers not only is permanent alimony the most commonly awarded form of alimony in the state, but someone who has been married for as little as two years before breaking up might still be liable to pay it.

They noted statistics show permanent alimony can eat up from one-third to one-half of payor's income and as a result, the person fitting the bill cannot retire or help pay for the college tuition of his or her child.

Several bills now being considered would seek equity for both parties or set alimony for a limited time.

One unidentified divorcee said on the group's website: "Alimony payments are causing my kids to do without. I can't afford to buy them clothes and other things they desperately need . . . I could understand alimony for a short time but for life is absolutely insane."

Wyman Oxner, who heads South Carolina Alimony Reform and has been paying alimony since 1999, told The State newspaper: "The laws are archaic. One side wins the lottery. The other side is in prison the rest of their life."

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