Group Wants To Reform New Jersey's Alimony Laws

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Divorced men in Florida were disappointed, last month, when an alimony reform bill failed to make it through the state legislature. But alimony reform efforts continue in many states, including New Jersey.

One of the most hated words in the English language, for many men, particularly those in states where the laws issue from the "Mad Men" era, when women were totally depending on their husbands. "This is the stereotype from more than 35 years ago," says Tom Leustek, Rutgers professor and president of New Jersey Alimony Reform.

He says Jersey judges routinely award lifetime alimony, even to professionally employed women, even in marriages that lasted less than 10 years.

"We're not looking to harm anyone. We're looking simply to make it a fair system."

Leustek's ex-wife supported him while he got his Ph.D. and then he supported her while she got her PhD and began her career as a psychologist. When the marriage later fell apart, Leustek figured there would be pretty much a 50-50 division of assets, "so I was amazed to find that there was not even any question that I would be paying her lifetime alimony at the point of divorce, which I thought was completely unfair."

Leustek says the group wants laws more like Pennsylvania's, where judges often limit alimony.

Philadelphia attorney Kate Sookhoo agrees Pennsylvania law is more progressive on the issue but notes, for divorcing spouses, there's really no escape from the blues.

"Alimony is alive and well in Pennsylvania."