A prominent colleague from California shares that men comprise only three percent of people receiving alimony (in California?) and that a “nearly-egalitarian employment situation [prevails] when it comes to gender” (in California?).

Based primarily on these unsupported assumptions, he pretty summarily concludes that (California?) alimony laws are discriminatory, antiquated and obsolete.

Neither of the above premises strikes me as consistent with what I observe here in Florida (nor see in media with a broader regional or nationwide circulation and scope).

Regardless, there is unquestionably room for improvement in the alimony laws in Florida and, undoubtedly, other states.

But, having said that, there is an alternative and equally plausible possible explanation for why a much lower percentage of men than women receive alimony:

a) only a relatively small percentage of divorcing men choose to seek alimony …

b) because only a small percentage of divorcing men perceive themselves as needing or wanting alimony.

Rightly or wrongly.

At least, this is true of the vast majority of men that I see in my Florida divorce law practice.

Even the men who, objectively speaking, are reasonably strong candidates for some form / duration of alimony.

Read more in this Huffington Post opinion piece: Spousal Support for Men .