FAIR FUTURES SOUTH CAROLINA: FAIRNESS FOR FAMILIES. MODERNIZATION FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

The Issue

What is Permanent Alimony and How Does it Happen?

Permanent alimony - known in South Carolina as Periodic Permanent Alimony - is court-ordered, lifetime financial support paid by one ex-spouse to the other — often until the paying spouse retires, or one party dies or remarries. South Carolina is one of the few remaining states where permanent alimony exists, and is the last state that allows this ruling the default form of support in marriages over ten years.

In South Carolina, permanent alimony is often ordered by default — not as an exception. Even when both spouses are capable of working, one can be ordered to make payments indefinitely, with little opportunity for relief unless the recipient remarries or dies. This default position has trapped thousands of families in endless financial conflict.

What Do Other States Do Differently?

Every other state in the nation has modernized its alimony laws. Most now use clear time limits, predictable formulas, and fair termination conditions tied to retirement, remarriage, or cohabitation. South Carolina stands alone — and it’s time to catch up.

Are We Against Alimony Entirely?

No. We fully support fair and reasonable alimony.
Short-term or rehabilitative alimony gives a lower-earning spouse time to gain education, job skills, or financial stability. What we oppose is permanent dependency — where one person is bound to another for life, even when self-sufficiency is possible.

Why Do We Oppose It?

Because it’s outdated, unfair, and inconsistent with modern life.
Permanent alimony was created generations ago, when most households had one income and limited opportunities for women. Today, both spouses are capable of earning, rebuilding, and contributing. Lifetime alimony punishes one person forever for a marriage that has already ended — it’s a financial life sentence without a crime.

Permanent alimony discourages independence, creates lifelong resentment, and keeps families tied to conflict long after the divorce is final. Many payors postpone retirement, take on second jobs, or even face financial ruin just to stay compliant. The emotional toll is just as severe — there’s no closure, no peace, and no chance to truly move forward.

In cases of no-fault divorce, unilateral decision making to end the marriage is financially incentivized and traps the other spouse, in many cases for the rest of their lives. Very often, hard-working, tax paying South Carolina citizens have been enslaved without wrong doing. And the financial cost is only half the story...Emotional tethering, lack of self-sufficiency, ongoing conflict...all of these result. Divorce is devastating enough. Permanent alimony keeps both parties trapped

This is not right and it's not okay. We aim to change it.

Why Hasn't it Changed?

Despite overwhelming public support for reform, South Carolina remains one of the few states that still defaults to permanent alimony. Outdated statutes, political hesitation, and a lack of awareness have kept this issue alive long after the rest of the nation moved forward.

What is the Human Cost?

This isn’t just about money. It’s about dignity, fairness, and the ability to rebuild a life. No one should be forced to stay bound to a failed marriage for life, financially or otherwise.

How South Carolina Compares

South Carolina is the only remaining state that still treats permanent alimony as the default setting in longer term marriages (six continue to recognize and grant permanent alimony only in extenuating circumstances). The rest of the country has already modernized its laws to reflect today’s realities — where both spouses can work, build careers, and share responsibility for their futures.

The Solution

End Lifetime Dependency

Support should be a bridge, not a life sentence.

Transition from permanent alimony to time-limited or rehabilitative support.
Encourage both spouses to become financially independent within a reasonable period.
Ensure alimony ends automatically upon clear milestones such as retirement, remarriage, or cohabitation.

Create Predictability and Transparency

No one should have to guess how long they’ll pay or receive support.

Establish clear, consistent guidelines for duration and amount of alimony.
Allow judges discretion for exceptional cases, but ensure most outcomes are predictable and equitable.
Encourage settlements that reduce post-divorce conflict and repeated litigation.

Promote Fairness for Both Parties

Fairness means protecting both the payer and the recipient.

Recognize that both parties’ lives continue after divorce — careers change, health evolves, and financial needs shift.
Provide balanced modification standards that allow adjustments when circumstances change significantly.
Respect retirement — no one should be forced to pay indefinitely after leaving the workforce.

Encourage Responsibility and Self-Sufficiency

Support should empower, not enable.

Tie alimony to rehabilitation plans that encourage education, job training, and re-entry into the workforce.
Recognize that today’s economy values dual earning capacity — not dependency.
Promote personal accountability for financial growth post-divorce.

Reduce Conflict and Court Congestion

A modernized system means fewer battles, less bitterness.

Limit endless post-divorce litigation by establishing automatic review and termination points.
Clarify modification triggers (employment, retirement, remarriage, income change) to prevent unnecessary hearings.
Free up the court system to focus on families who truly need judicial intervention.

Protect Families — Especially Children

Reform strengthens—not weakens—families.

When parents are financially stable and emotionally free, children benefit most.
Reduce financial tension and manipulation between co-parents.
Ensure resources go toward children’s education and well-being, not perpetual legal conflict.

Align South Carolina with the Rest of the Nation

It’s time to modernize.

49 other states have reformed their laws to make alimony fair, finite, and forward-looking.
South Carolina stands alone in keeping permanent alimony as the default — an outdated policy that no longer reflects modern equality or economic reality.

Restore Hope and Dignity

Reform is not about punishment — it’s about peace.

Allow both people to truly move on after divorce.
Restore dignity, fairness, and emotional closure for thousands of South Carolina families.
Build a system rooted in justice, compassion, and common sense.