One of the first things you likely learned was the name of your home state, but what if everything you knew about your state’s namesake could have been different? Prepare for a journey through the quirky and bizarre world of almost-names for states! The early days of American statehood were filled with creative, peculiar, and downright odd suggestions. Let’s look into history and uncover the surprising stories behind the names that could have been. KENTUCKY Kentucky’s famous horse race was almost known as the Transylvania Derby, but it has nothing to do with vampires. In 1775, a businessman named Richard Henderson established the Transylvania Company and signed a treaty with the Cherokee tribe, securing land known as the Transylvania colony. However, Henderson’s treaty failed as Virginia had already claimed the land. Years later, in 1792, those living on Henderson’s attempted purchase broke away from Virginia to become Kentucky. Despite naming the state themselves, the residents couldn’t decide whether the state’s new name meant “prairie,” “land of tomorrow,” or “river of blood.” UTAH When Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as the Mormon church), moved the congregation west, they settled in the Salt Lake Basin. He petitioned Congress to create a new state for them and settled on Deseret, after a name in the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptural texts. The government declined the request until 1896, granting them statehood in a smaller area than they had originally hoped for. They still didn’t get their desired name, though; the government named the state Utah after the Ute tribe that called the area home. THE BIZARRE AND CREATIVE TITLES THAT NEARLY DEFINED OUR STATES NAMES THAT ALMOST WERE
How Florida Courts Determine Your Payments ALIMONY MADE SIMPLE
If you are in the process of a divorce in Florida, you may wonder how much you will receive in alimony. Alimony calculations in the state are based on several main factors, such as how much each spouse earns and their actual financial needs post-divorce. The laws are designed to strike a balance of fairness for both parties and set clear guidelines so no one is pushed beyond their means or left without resources. It’s essential to understand the three main limitations that impact alimony. To calculate alimony, the court will use a percentage of the higher-earning spouse’s income to reach a maximum payment amount. It is 35% of the difference between the payer’s and receiver’s incomes. The court can adjust those starting payments based on factors in the couple’s life, like how long they were married, their standard of living, their children, and their health. The amount awarded can’t exceed the actual financial need of the person receiving alimony payments. The court will look at how much money it would take for the recipient to cover the cost of living, education, and their ability to support themself. The laws also ensure the spouse who is paying alimony doesn’t end up with less income than the receiver. Alimony can’t exceed the other spouse’s ability to pay. It takes more than walking into court and stating you can’t afford it. The court will examine the income of the spouse paying and their after-divorce costs to find a number that benefits both parties. Understanding alimony calculations can feel daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. We have created a handy alimony calculator on our website to help you get a sense of what your monthly payments may be. This tool can help eliminate some of the guesswork as you begin planning your next steps after divorce. Visit brucepa. com/divorce-info/florida-alimony-law-overview to try out the calculator and get a head start on your financial future.
NEVADA The name Humboldt almost became the name of the state of Nevada. It comes from explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who helped popularize scientific exploration. Though he traveled thousands of miles across Central and South America, he never made it to the Western United States. So, when Nevada became a state in 1864, they used the Spanish word for “snow-covered” instead. History is full of “what ifs” and whimsical alternatives that could have shaped our country. These almost-names remind us of the rich tapestry of the past and the imagination that defines our nation.
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