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Alimony Reform Association
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Skitz
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Massachusetts
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 Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Hello to all,
Dave Laurin, a member of our group e-mailed the editor of the Lowell Sun and requested a story on HB 1785. Although the reporter got the wrong number of the bill, (he used the original number submitted 2 years ago of HB 1567), they have already received many comments. Please click the link below and send a comment.
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_13608061?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com
It would be great if all of you would follow his lead and contact the editors of your local newspapers.
Steve Hitner, President
MASS ALIMONY REFORM
steveh@massalimonyreform.org
www.massalimonyreform.org
Our Mission: To Promote Peace, Independence, and
Self-Sufficiency Of the Parties to Divorce.
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_________________
When the courts order you to pay alimony, the yoke's on you! |
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Skitz
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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This was an October 20th update:
| Quote: | Hello to all,
Since the testimony at the Judiciary on Sept. 17, 2009, many things have been happening in support of the Mass Alimony Reform goals.
MEDIA ATTENTION:
I have been contacted by reporters from both the local and national media. Several members of the movement who have agreed to go public have been interviewed by both Print media and Television News. I have been in regular contact with those reporters as they are fact finding and requesting additional information for their stories, and will make announcements to all of you as soon as I am made aware of when the publication and airing takes place.
At this point, all of the media coverage is extremely sympathetic to our cause and I am quite sure that they will continue to be so. That being said, please watch your e-mail for upcoming announcements and press releases, and be prepared to make comments.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
I just received a call from Sen. Creem’s office requesting my participation in a group formed by the Judiciary for the purpose of making alimony reform a reality. As soon as I know more, I will keep you informed. Your constant e-mails and calls to your legislators is having a great impact. You may expect a press release announcing this in the very near future.
MASS ALIMONY REFORM ACTION;
I ask each and every one of you to continue to e-mail and call your legislators insisting on their support of House Bill #1785. You should also have your friends and relatives join in the fight in your behalf. The more e-mail and phone calls, the better.
If they are a co-signer of our bill, ask them what they intend to do to move it forward and get it passed. If they are not, ask why, and then work on convincing them to change their mind and be a supporter. With 72 co-sponsors already on board, it is a good start to convince them to join a winning team.
Find out when they have community meetings and attend so that you get to know them and they get to know you by name. It make a huge difference when they can put a face to a constituent when requesting their support.
Finally, if you have not forwarded me your horror story, please do so, and please indicate if you are willing to go public and tell your story to a reporter. It is the compelling horror stories that is getting to press on our side, and will make it difficult for the legislature not to act.
Please feel free to call or e-mail me at any time if you have any questions or concerns, or just to vent if you are having a bad day.
Remember, “If we let up, we lose”, and we ain’t letting up, so we ain’t loosen!
Steve Hitner, President
MASS ALIMONY REFORM
steveh@massalimonyreform.org
www.massalimonyreform.org
Our Mission: To Promote Peace, Independence, and
Self-Sufficiency Of the Parties to Divorce. |
_________________
When the courts order you to pay alimony, the yoke's on you! |
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Skitz
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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News update from MAR:
| Quote: | News update from: Mass Alimony Reform
WBZ TV News - Special Report
11/11/09
The latest story about Alimony Reform in Massachusetts ran last night at 11pm on WBZ TV Channel 4. Jonathan Elias, the reporter, had an interesting interview with Sen. Creem, Al Wolpen, Tim Taylor, and myself. He has also blogged about it, so please leave a comment, and have your friends and family do the same.
The broadcast is on our website: www.massalimonyreform.org
Our website also lists stories from the Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and several others. It is most important that you read the stories, comment and e-mail them to as many other people as you can.
The Pierce vs. Pierce case has been ruled on by the SJC. The stories by the media will inform you of the decision, and you should definitely send comments to all of the above media who has run the story.
Include why you disagree with the outcome, and how the MASS ALIMONY REFORM BILL H1785 would benefit the current alimony situation. Due to the fact that Alimony decisions in Mass. are made on outdated and archaic "case law" (most of which was written several centuries ago) the decisions do not reflect life as it is now. People deserve finality and closure from the disastrous effects of divorce. The current laws only continue pain, suffering, financial disaster, and the loss of the right to retire at the age acknowledged by the Social Security act.
The fact that the decision was based on existing case law, it is no surprise that the SJC ruled in the way that it did. The time has come for the Legislature to add structure and guidelines to the alimony laws in Mass, and that is why it is so important to get H1785 passed. Please be sure to write to your State Rep. and Senators encouraging them to keep pressure on the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to give a positive recommendation to H1785 and get it passed by the end of the current session.
Please understand that we are asking State Reps and Senators for a positive vote on our bill. They did not create current alimony law; they are the one body we must convince to join us in effecting reform.
The names of the judge(s) and attorneys in your case are not relevant and should not be mentioned.
You may dislike divorce attorneys and/or Probate judges in general. Expressing those feelings in personal attacks is not appropriate.
Steve Hitner, President
MASS ALIMONY REFORM
steveh@massalimonyreform.org
www.massalimonyreform.org
Our Mission: To Promote Peace, Independence, and Self-Sufficiency Of the Parties to Divorce. |
_________________
When the courts order you to pay alimony, the yoke's on you! |
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Skitz
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Lost faith in Rep. Peisch
WESTON —
I have lost all faith in our State Rep. Alice Peisch, D-Wellesley. While she has worked hard on many issues for the residents of Weston, which I commend her for, she also has dropped the ball on some key issues. Let me explain.
Rep. Peisch was one of the representatives who voted to keep the corrupt former Speaker Sal DiMaisi in power, despite the federal investigation and obvious abuse of his power. She did not stand up to the speaker as 14 other representatives did. She just followed the herd.
In 2004, her district voted by more than 86 percent for equal shared parenting. However, Rep. Peisch thinks she knows better than her district. Despite large support of her district on the issue of shared parenting, she refuses to at least ask for the bill to be released from the Judiciary Committee for a floor discussion and possible vote. Peisch used to sit on this committee, but this year had herself removed.
This past week, Rep. Peisch was interviewed on Fox-TV on the alimony reform bill. She supports Sen. Cynthia Creem's, D-Newton, watered-down alimony reform bill, rather than the bill that would make real and fair change. What a surprise. Sen. Creem shares a district with Rep. Peisch. Sen. Creem, who co-chairs the Judiciary Committee, is an actively practicing divorce lawyer. Can you say conflicts of interest?
Both Sen. Creem and Rep. Peisch know that Sen. Creem's bill would guarantee more litigation, thus more monies for divorce lawyers, not less.
In 2008, the Supreme Judicial Court provided a report on why more and more people are going pro se (represent themselves), even middle class persons. They said it was because more and more people could not afford the astronomical legal fees.
Passing alimony reform and shared parenting would reduce fees to lawyers.
So who can be surprised when Rep. Peisch supports the status quo? It is time we start thinking about a new legislator for our district who puts the needs of the people first.
DR. PETER HILL,
Weston |
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/letters/x1659502069/Hill-Lost-faith-in-Rep-Peisch
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_________________
When the courts order you to pay alimony, the yoke's on you! |
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Skitz
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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Read the story linked below and you have to wonder how this might affect the Massachusetts legislative initiative. The Bar is not exactly our best friend. It makes me think that the lawyers see that "something" is going to change so they are going to work hard to get the best of it, as usual. Note that Sen. Creem is in favor of a watered down version of alimony reform.
The good news is that it contues to look like something is going to happen, and things can't really get any worse her so any change has to be an improvement...........doesn't it?
Well, a rising tide lifts all boats as they say so if the law changes for the better here in Massachusetts, even if it is a modest improvement, perhaps it will stimulate improvements in other states as well 
| Quote: | MBA president-elect named to legislative task force
Posted Jan 22, 2010 @ 11:30 PM
BOSTON —
Massachusetts Bar Association President-elect Denise Squillante has been appointed to a legislative task force to study alimony. Created by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, the task force is being established to review and make recommendations on reforming Massachusetts alimony laws.
“The participation and input of the Massachusetts Bar Association and other organizations is critical to building consensus on the best way to reform our alimony laws,” said Senate Judiciary Chair Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem. “Denise’s participation will be invaluable to the work of the task force,” she said................................ |
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/in_brief/x231952920/MBA-president-elect-named-to-legislative-task-force
_________________
When the courts order you to pay alimony, the yoke's on you! |
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Skitz
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 239
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:55 am Post subject: |
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I don't know how he does it but Steve Hitner is making another public relations score. This time it is to be an appearance on "Chronicle" a TV news magazine type show that airs in New England.
I will include Steve's post below. If you think you can make a contribution to this effort call him right away.
| Quote: | Chronicle WCVB Channel 5 to feature MASS ALIMONY REFORM!
Chronicle is a newsmagazine produced at two Hearst Television-owned New England television stations, WCVB-TV Ch. 5 in Boston, MA, and WMUR-TV Ch. 9 in Manchester, New Hampshire. It airs weeknights at 7:30 PM on both stations, offering an informative lifestyle, cultural, and news-related magazine format, most often covering a single topic per broadcast.
I am working with the producer on a half hour Chronicle show on Alimony Reform. They will interview me about MAR's work towards this end, as well as a bit of my personal story.
The producer is hoping I can put him in touch with others who also have compelling stories to tell. The more outragious the horror stories, the better.
He will be shooting interviews Wed through Fri of next week , Feb 24-26, as well as the following Mon., Feb 29.
The interviews typically take about an hour and he is happy to go to you.
The Producer wants to interview people in the following situation:
(1) Second Wives whos income is being used to pay the ex.
(2) People who will not marry a person with an alimony obligation
(3) Lifetime alimony payors from a short term marriage
(4) People who do not have the right to retire
This is your opportunity to help in the fight to change the law. It is your chance to help us help you.
Please, if you are able to go public, you must contact me immediatly so that I can get you in touch with the producer. I will make the time to help you feel comfortable if you are interviewed. Do not hesitate to call me at any time if you have any comments or questions.
Remember, "If we let up, We lose"
Steve Hitner, President
MASS ALIMONY REFORM
(m)508-335-0069 (h)508-303-6890
steveh@massalimonyreform.org
www.massalimonyreform.org
Our Mission: To Promote Peace, Independence, and
Self-Sufficiency Of the Parties to Divorce. |
_________________
When the courts order you to pay alimony, the yoke's on you! |
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