Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act of 2011

Lynnfield Alimony Attorney Serving Winchester, Wakefield, Andover, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Newburyport, Cambridge, Beverly, & Saugus

If you live in Massachusetts and are considering divorce, you may have heard talk of a new Alimony Reform Bill. If this bill passes, it may seriously impact your alimony arrangement upon your divorce. An attorney at our law firm can address this important topic for you if you call our offices for a consultation, and we have also included some basic information below. We are experienced Massachusetts divorce attorneys representing clients in Essex County, Middlesex County and the surrounding communities. Click on a link below to learn more about alimony and the new Alimony Reform Bill:

General Alimony

What is alimony? There are many different types of this support that a person can receive after divorce. Alimony is based upon a decision made by a court, such as if a parent will need extra money to finish their education or to support a positive lifestyle for their family. Click here to read more about general alimony.

Rehabilitative Alimony

If during a marriage, one spouse fails to finish their education in order to support the relationship or marriage, they may be eligible for rehabilitative alimony. In cases such as this, a parent who was forced to quit school to stay home with children or enter the working world may receive this type of alimony if they wish to return to school. Click here to read more about rehabilitative alimony.

Reimbursement

Reimbursement is a type of alimony that is awarded to a person in the marriage who has contributed to the other partner, such as paying for a higher education for their spouse or paying household expenses while the spouse completed their education. Click here to continue reading more about reimbursement.

Transitional Alimony

Transitional alimony is a type of support that is very similar to rehabilitative alimony in that it helps a spouse achieve self-sufficiency. One reason a person may need transitional alimony is if they moved away from their home state to enter into a marriage that then failed in a short period of time. They would then need money to fly back home. Click here to read more about transitional alimony.

Alimony Modifications

Modifying an alimony agreement can be quite difficult, but can prove to be very beneficial for all parties involved. Alimony can be modified if a person no longer needs the support, or needs more due to job loss or a cut in their pay. Despite the reason for the modification, involving an attorney is always suggested. Click here to read more about alimony modifications.

Am I Eligible for an Alimony Modification?

To determine if you are eligible to modify your alimony agreement, a divorce attorney can assist you through the process. You will first need to review your divorce agreement to see if a modification is allowed according to the terms. Click here to continue reading more about eligibility for alimony modifications.

Deadlines for Filing Modification Actions

In accordance with proposed changes on the new Alimony Reform Bill, certain time limits will be applied to filing for a modification action. The law will state specifically how long you have to modify an action, which may correlate with the duration of your marriage. Click here to read more about deadlines for filing modification actions.

How Much Will I Have to Pay?

Alimony payments will be determined by the court based on whether a spouse will need these payments, what type of alimony they will need and how much they will need. This will vary on a case by case basis, and with a divorce attorney you can be reassured that your rights will be protected. Click here to read more about how much you will have to pay.

There are many reasons to support the new Alimony Reform Bill, known as the Alimony Reform Act of 2011. In Massachusetts, alimony is a life-long obligation that can forever impact your financial stability. This new Act proposes reasonable changes to alimony requirements in the commonwealth and also looks at reforms for child support. Though past attempts to change alimony laws in Massachusetts have failed, the Alimony Reform Act of 2011 has the combined force of previously opposing parties who are ready to make a much-needed change in laws that really only applied to a previous era where women did not work or support themselves.

Contact a Massachusetts Alimony Lawyer

Following are some key points the Act proposes:

For long-term marriages (those that lasted more than 20 years), alimony will end at retirement age.
The following maximum alimony terms are proposed for marriages lasting less than 20 years:
5 years or less - 50% of the number of months of marriage.
More than 5 years to 10 years - 60% of the number of months of marriage.
More than 10 years to 15 years - 70% of the number of months of marriage.
More than 15 years to 20 years - 80% of the number of months of marriage.
If the paying spouse remarries, the income and assets of his or her new husband/wife will not be considered in modifying alimony.
The amount of alimony generally should not exceed 30-35% of the difference between the parties gross incomes established at the time of the alimony order, or the recipient's need.
In cases where good cause can be proven to grant an extension of alimony, the court has the discretion to do so.

The Alimony Reform Bill can benefit both spouses in a divorce, reaching an alimony arrangement that allows the recipient to undergo job training and education that would help him or her establish his or her own financial stability and saving the paying spouse from being obligated to support the recipient for life - even after remarriage.

Contact a Massachusetts alimony attorney serving Winchester, Wakefield, Saugus, Newburyport, Marblehead, Lowell, Lexington, Cambridge, Beverly, and Andover.