Divorce Reform to Help Women
The Service Fund HELPLINE answers calls from women needing help with divorce every day. Divorce is a difficult issue for families, and women often suffer the brunt of the financial hardship and take on the majority of the child care responsibilities after divorce. Especially for middle and low income families, the costs of divorce and of attaining a fair settlement can be insurmountable.
Since we’ve heard firsthand from the women who attend our clinics about the inconsistencies in divorce settlements they face, NOW-NYC has been active in advocating for divorce reform in New York State that would help cover the costs of representation for the “non-moneyed” spouse and create uniform standards for how maintenance is awarded. The new system for interim maintenance guidelines that we are supporting would ensure fair, transparent, and consistent outcomes for women upon divorce.
Victory!
In June 2010, NOW-NYC helped to secure the passage of two important pieces of divorce reform legislation—the Interim Maintenance Guidelines Bill and the Counsel and Expert Fees Bill. Both bills will help ensure women receive a fair trial in divorce proceedings.
NOW-NYC Applauds Important Divorce Reform Legislation
Interim Maintenance Guidelines
One of the biggest “wild cards” in getting divorced in New York State is how a judge will award maintenance (formerly known as alimony) for the less-monied spouse, which is most often the woman.
NOW-NYC, along with a coalition of organizations and its fabulous members, worked to change this paradigm once again by establishing a system that would ensure fair, transparent, and consistent outcomes for women going through divorce.
Led by Assembly Member Amy Paulin and State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Interim Maintenance Guidelines (an earlier version of the bill was known as Post-Marital Income legislation) will ensure that there is consistency and predictability to maintenance calculations within divorce proceedings. The bill passed in both the Assembly and Senate.
NOW-NYC New York Times Letter to the Editor
NOW-NYC Service Fund’s Testimony to the NYS Senate Judiciary Committee
NY Post-Marital Income Coalition
Counsel Fee and Expert Fee BillIn divorce proceedings, the party with the most financial resources usually comes out on top. In an effort to ensure an even playing field between spouses when there is a significant disparity in available resources, NOW-NYC advocated for and helped pass legislation in the State Assembly and Senate that would require the monied party to provide for the legal fees of the non-monied party. The bill—introduced by Assembly Member Helene Weinstein and State Senator John Sampson— will alleviate the serious disadvantages faced by those pursuing divorce while lacking the necessary financial resources.
Counsel Fee and Expert Fee reform passed with overwhelming support in both the Senate and Assembly, helping women get a fair deal state-wide.
Executive Director Sonia Ossorio’s Letter to Governor Paterson
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