Framingham Alimony Lawyer
Alimony Payments in Massachusetts
Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is a monthly payment one spouse pays to the other spouse after a divorce. Determining which spouse pays what amount is often at the discretion of a judge, but there are some important factors used to make alimony determinations.
At the Law Office of Michael J. Brothers, in Framingham, Massachusetts, we represent divorced or divorcing spouses who either seek alimony payments from a spouse, or wish to defeat a claim for alimony. To consult with our attorney, call us at 508-802-4570 or 888-873-1695 toll free.
Framingham Alimony Attorney | Natick Spousal Support Attorney
Several factors influence decisions on who pays alimony, who receives it, and what size the monthly payments will be.
Among these factors are:
- Length of the marriage
- Age and health of the spouse
- Comparative income of the divorcing spouses
- Job status and employability
- Liabilities/debts
- Needs of dependent spouse
- Number of dependent children
- Amount of child support already being paid
- Financial histories of each divorcing spouse
Long Marriages, More Alimony
In most cases in which alimony is granted, the spouse who receives payments is at a financial disadvantage to the spouse who pays. These spouses are usually married for a period in excess of 7 years. The dependent spouse often has a lesser ability to earn money; for example, a stay-at-home mother or father who foregoes educational or employment opportunities to raise children.
Short Marriages, Less Alimony
Alimony is less likely to be granted when both parties are married fewer than 7 years, earn about the same incomes, and have similar capacities to earn money. If the non dependent spouse has a large child-support obligation, it is also less likely that he or she will owe alimony.
Changes to the Alimony Law
On March 1, 2012, amendments to the Massachusetts Alimony Act will go into effect.
One of the significant changes is that limits will be placed on the length of general term alimony(the periodic payment of support to a recipient spouse who is economically dependant) as follows:
If the length of the marriage is 5 years or less, general term alimony shall continue for not longer than one-half the number of months of the marriage.
If the the length of the marriage is 10 years or less, but more than 5 years, general term alimony shall continue for not longer than 60 percent of the number of months of the marriage.
If the length of the marriage is 15 years or less, but more than 10 years, general term almony shall continue for not longer than 70 percent of the number of months of the marriage.
If the length of the marriage is 20 years or less, but more than 15 years, general term alimony shall continue ofr not longer than 80 percent of the number of months of the marriage.
The court may order alimony for an indefinite length of time for marriages for which the length of the marriage was longer than 20 years.
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If you have a complicated legal problem, only a competent lawyer can solve it. For more information, contact us online or call 508-802-4570 or 888-873-1695 toll free.
