News stations out of San Diego, California are reporting on an interesting case that caught my attention. Crystal Harris, a Carlsbad, California resident was raped by Shawn Harris, her now ex-husband, yet the Judge in their divorce case awarded Shawn $1,000 a month in spousal support (Alimony). So when Shawn gets out of prison for the felony he committed against Crystal, Crystal will have to pay him $1,000 a month!
How could this have happened? Well, under California law, “there is only one way Crystal Harris could have avoided paying her ex-husband: if he had tried to kill her”. After presiding over the parties’ divorce, Family Law Court Judge Gregory Pollock stated, “I can’t look at a 12-year marriage where one side is making $400 a month, the other side is making over $11,000 and say no spousal support, that would be an abuse of discretion.”
San Diego County District Attorney, Bonnie Dumanis is currently petitioning California lawmakers to address and change this loophole so something like this doesn’t happen again.
If you are curious about Alimony laws in Florida, contact a Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer today.