TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Senate has sent Gov. Chris Christie a bill that overhauls the state's alimony laws.

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The bill, which cleared the upper house on Monday, seeks to limit the length of payments to an ex-spouse.

Payments would not be permitted to exceed the length of marriages that lasted fewer than 20 years unless a judge finds "exceptional circumstances."

Alimony could also stop if the person receiving payments starts living with someone without marrying them.

Judges also would be permitted to lower payments if an ex is out of work for 90 days.

Senate co-sponsor Robert Singer says current alimony laws are out of date and unfairly burden spouses with "crippling" lifetime payments.

 

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