Jan Killilea

Alimony reformers in the state of Florida say, 'reinvent' yourself at 56 years of age after sacrificing a career 30 years ago to raise a family and care for a home in a traditional marriage.

A group of women called FLWAR (Florida Women for Alimony Reform) formerly known as the Second Wives Club call alimony recipients barnacles, leeches & welfare recipients. Please visit First Husband’s Advocacy Group on Facebook and see what they call women who receive alimony under the current law.

When I first became aware of this group in November of 2012 while working FULL time as a nanny, the only job I secured after my divorce in 2009, I was very concerned. I wrote an Op-Ed in Florida Voices "Divorced Woman Worried About Alimony Reform" The comments left by the reformers were appalling. I also received hate mail. "You've got mail" took on a frightening tone.

I was invited to testify in Tallahassee by the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar in February of 2013 and was highlighted in Time Magazine, "The End of Alimony". Since this time, the reformers have continued with their 'mean' girl antics.

They’ve unsuccessfully tried to reform the alimony laws in Florida for years. Although the bills passed in the House & Senate twice, the Governor has vetoed BOTH the bills. They claim to have a sponsor to file the bill again (2018) and seem confident that our new Governor, Ron DeSantis will sign it into law.

They want legislators to believe that women no longer leave the workforce to stay home and raise families as I did. I believe couples typically discuss the dynamics of raising a family together. I believe that had I not decided with my spouse to be a stay-at-home mom, we wouldn’t have married.

URGENT: March 14, 2022

Please urge Governor DeSantis to Veto SB 1796. This bill will have a negative affect on Florida’s women and children.