Experienced Massachusetts Alimony Lawyers
Last updated on December 30, 2024
Alimony, or spousal support, is often a contentious topic in divorce matters. Alimony is a legal order where one spouse is obligated to provide financial support to the other spouse after a divorce. Alimony is intended to help the receiving spouse maintain their standard of living or become self-sufficient in the aftermath of a divorce.
Determining eligibility for spousal support or fighting to pay a fair amount requires the assistance of the skilled attorneys of Cunnally Law Group, LLC, in Medway. We will protect your rights and help you achieve a satisfactory alimony settlement.
How Alimony Works In Massachusetts
Massachusetts recognizes four types of alimony:
- General term alimony is financial support paid to a financially dependent ex-spouse for a certain length of time that is generally determined by the length of the marriage.
- Rehabilitative alimony is financial support paid to an ex-spouse who is expected to become self-sufficient and support themselves in a certain amount of time.
- Reimbursement alimony is financial support for marriages that last no longer than five years and is intended to reimburse the receiving spouse for the cost of helping the paying spouse while they completed job training or education.
- Transitional alimony is financial support for marriages no longer than five years in order to help the receiving spouse have the ability to settle into a new location or lifestyle due to the divorce.
Each of these types of alimony helps the receiving spouse support themselves after a divorce. Determining exactly how much alimony someone will pay or receive depends on various factors, including:
- The length of the marriage
- The earning ability of each spouse
- The standard of living during the marriage
- The contributions to the marriage of each spouse
- The age, income and needs of each spouse
- Whether any child support must also be paid
It’s crucial to consult with a divorce attorney who is experienced in handling alimony cases when going through this process. Our lawyers are familiar with Massachusetts’ laws regarding spousal support and can review your situation to help ascertain how much you may need to pay or how much you might receive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alimony
Our attorneys have gathered common questions about spousal support in Massachusetts below to help you get started on this topic. To discuss your specific case in detail, schedule a consultation with us today.
How is spousal support calculated in Massachusetts?
Alimony is determined based on different factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions to the marriage and their earning capacity. Spousal support typically cannot exceed more than what the receiving spouse needs or more than 30 to 35% of the difference in gross incomes between the spouses. Our attorneys can help you calculate an estimate during a consultation.
Can spousal support be modified?
Yes. You can request to modify the amount of spousal support you pay if there has been a significant change in your circumstances such as a job loss, a drastic increase or decrease in your income, or a serious health issue.
How long does alimony last?
The length of your marriage is a major factor in determining how long alimony lasts. Generally, if your marriage was five years or less, alimony lasts for a maximum of 50% of the number of months you were married. For example, if you were married for four years, you were married for 48 months. 50% of 48 months is 24, so you will either pay or receive alimony for two years.
The longer your marriage lasted, the higher that percentage becomes and the longer alimony lasts. For 10 years, alimony lasts for a maximum of 60% of the number of months of marriage; for 20 years, the maximum is 80% of the number of months of marriage.
However, alimony can also end in certain situations such as when the spouse passes away, the receiving spouse gets remarried and has lived with the new spouse for at least three months, or the paying spouse reaches retirement age.
We Can Help With Your Alimony Concerns
If you’re concerned about how much alimony you’re receiving or paying, we can help ease your worries. Let us review your unique situation and fight to seek a fair alimony order that protects your rights and interests.
Call 508-475-9684 to schedule an initial consultation with our attorneys today. Or email us online to get started. We represent clients throughout Norfolk County and the Metrowest region.