WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ALIMONY REFORM
Are you getting a divorce and you have questions about alimony? Or do you have an Alimony agreement in place, and you are curious about modifying your alimony agreement because circumstances have changed due to the pandemic.
First let’s cover the basics with Alimony. The enactment of the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act in 2011 brought major changes to these laws for the first time since the 1970s. If alimony — sometimes called spousal support or maintenance — may be awarded in your divorce, or you might need to know if you can obtain an alimony modification (or termination),
Should You Expect to Pay or Receive Alimony? How Much and For How Long?
- Be sure to educate yourself on your rights under current Massachusetts alimony law and the important tax considerations associated with alimony payments
- Get guidance on understanding the analysis of how the court is likely to rule on any proposed award of alimony or an action to modify or terminate alimony
- Establish an understanding of the formation and negotiation of creative solutions that may be agreeable to both parties, in order to avoid costly and stressful litigation over this often-contested issue.
Reliable Guidance on Current Alimony Laws and Actions to Modify Alimony
In the past, once an alimony agreement was settled and it was virtually impossible to alter. That has changed. Today, alimony is categorized as general, rehabilitative, transitional or reimbursement alimony based on a range of personal and financial circumstances. For general-term alimony when the marriage lasts less than 20 years, the alimony obligation will be limited within a percentage of the length of that marriage. A schedule of dates upon which payers can seek alimony modifications based on current durational limits has been established.
Further, with the enactment of the Alimony Reform Act, there is a statutory formula used to calculate the presumptive amount of an alimony order. There are grounds upon which a court can deviate from this formula. We are knowledgeable of how to calculate alimony in all cases, and when a deviation may apply under the right circumstances.
There are many circumstances now that allow alimony to be modified, reduced, or terminated. This includes situations in which the recipient spouse cohabitates with a significant other or when the payer spouse attains full retirement age, as defined by the Social Security Administration
Schedule Your Consultation with An Experienced Alimony Attorney Now
If you must prepare for divorce or have questions about changing or ending an alimony obligation, please call 617-539-1010 ext. 111, or contact us via email now at edamaral@amarallaw.com . We maintain full-service law offices in Winthrop and in Boston’s North End and Waterfront, and we will provide an initial consultation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.