STATEHOUSE (March 12, 2018) — Senate Resolution 32, authored by State Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel), passed the Indiana Senate by unanimous voice vote on the floor today.
SR 32 would explore the topics of post-secondary education financial support, allowing spousal maintenance up to the length of the marriage that was dissolved, and awarding an annual amount up to 40 percent of the payer’s annual income.
Sen. Delph said he authored the resolution after a Zionsville resident and constituent Lori Vanatsky, was left with a significant financial burden when her husband of 25 years left her and her children.
“Current law does not sufficiently account for the damage done to children and dependent spouses when a divorce occurs,” Sen. Delph said. “We need to take a hard look at the current spousal maintenance and child support statutes and identify any updates necessary to provide the appropriate support needed to remedy the damage done from a divorce.”
Under current Indiana law, rehabilitative spousal maintenance may last a maximum of three years from the time the divorce is finalized. Child support payments, including tuition support for post-secondary education, are no longer required when the child turns 19.
Vanatsky said she believed the decision for her to stay home with their children benefited their entire family, and that she chose to become active in trying to bring change in the current law even though she would not benefit from any changes.
“The stay at home parent should not have to take all the risk or financial detriment,” Vanatsky said. “I appreciate the willingness of Sen. Delph and our Indiana legislators to study the issue to be certain state law is protecting both parents.”
According to financial website 24/7 Wall Street, in 2016, Indiana had the nation’s sixth-highest divorce rate at 19.6 per 1,000 people.
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A high-resolution photo of State Sen. Mike Delph is available by clicking here.
