Q: What are Reimbursement Alimony, Rehabilitative Alimony, and Transitional Alimony?

A: There are 4 types of alimony under Massachusetts law.  The four types are:

• General Term Alimony
• Rehabilitative Alimony
• Reimbursement Alimony
• Transitional Alimony

Rehabilitative Alimony

Q: What is Rehabilitative Alimony?

A: By the statute’s definition, Rehabilitative Alimony for a recipient spouse who is expected to become economically self-sufficient by a predicted time, such as, without limitation, reemployment; completion of job training; or receipt of a sum due from the payor spouse under a judgment.

Q: When is a spouse eligible to receive Rehabilitative Alimony?

A: Rehabilitative Alimony is available to all spouses, regardless of how long they have been married.

Q: When Does Rehabilitative Alimony End?

A: Rehabilitative Alimony ends upon the first of the following to occur:

• upon the remarriage of the recipient spouse,
• the occurrence of a specific event in the future that is outlined in the court order
• the death of either spouse;
• After 5 years.

Q: Can Rehabilitative Alimony last longer than 5 years?

A: Yes, a spouse can file a complaint for modification upon a showing of compelling circumstances in the event that:

• unforeseen events prevent the recipient spouse from being self-supporting at the end of the term with due consideration to the length of the marriage;
• the court finds that the recipient tried to become self-supporting; and
• the payor is able to pay without undue burden.

Reimbursement Alimony

Q: What is Reimbursement Alimony?

A: The statute defines Reimbursement Alimony as the periodic or one-time payment of support to a recipient spouse after a marriage of not more than 5 years to compensate the recipient spouse for economic or noneconomic contribution to the financial resources of the payor spouse, such as enabling the payor spouse to complete an education or job training.

Q: When is a spouse eligible to receive Reimbursement  Alimony?

A: By the statute’s definition, Rehabilitative alimony is only available for a marriage of 5 years or less.  

Q: How much do I pay/receive in Reimbursement Alimony?

A: This is determined on a case by case basis, and the normal calculation of alimony for the other categories of alimony does not apply to Reimbursement Alimony.

Q: When does Reimbursement Alimony terminate?

A: Reimbursement alimony terminates upon the death of the recipient spouse or a specific date in the court order.  

Q: Can Reimbursement Alimony be modified?

A: No

Transitional Alimony

Q: What is Transitional Alimony

A: Transitional Alimony is the periodic or one-time payment of support to a recipient spouse after a marriage of not more than 5 years to transition the recipient spouse to an adjusted lifestyle or location as a result of the divorce.

Q: When is a spouse eligible to receive Transitional Alimony?

A: By the statute’s definition, Rehabilitative alimony is only available for a marriage of 5 years or less.  

Q: When does Reimbursement Alimony terminate?

A: Reimbursement alimony terminates upon the death of the recipient spouse or a specific date in the court order that is not longer than 3 years from the date of the divorce.  

Q: Can Transitional Alimony be modified?

A: No

Have any further questions about alimony?

Call the attorneys at Amaral & Associates, P.C.

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