Upon divorce, many issues need to be resolved before the spouses go their separate ways. This involves a lot of legal matters. This can include matters relating to the children, such as child support and child custody arrangements. Other matters can include the division of assets and monetary compensation for dependent spouses. In marriage, spouses often take on different roles. One spouse may work to support the family while the other stays home to take care of the children until they are old enough to be away at school all day. Parents have to make these major decisions. During a divorce, this split of responsibilities may be considered to determine if alimony should be paid and if so, how much should be paid to the dependent party.
Alimony should be paid for the required period of time. Some factors may influence the process of making payments by having them stop completely or be altered. Alimony can stop when death has occurred, remarriage or cohabitation of the dependent spouse happens or if the paying party reaches full retirement age. The full retirement age will be reviewed by the court to ensure it is a just decision. A judge may also consider the extension of alimony. This could be due to significant changes in circumstances or that evidence for an extension has become quite clear. Dealing with alimony can be difficult and complex. In order to make sure you are not being cheated or paying too much, contact us for legal representation.
How is general term alimony paid?
Since general term alimony covers marriages over a varying period of time, it is broken down more specifically. The longer a marriage has lasted, the greater the duration of the support provided by the independent spouse to the dependent spouse. Marriages that lasted less than five years produce alimony that cannot be required for more than 50% of the marriage. When a marriage lasted less than 10 years, alimony cannot be required for more than 60% of the duration of the marriage. Marriages that lasted less than 15 years cannot have alimony required for more than 70% of the duration of the marriage. When a marriage lasted less than 20 years, alimony cannot be required for more than 80% of the duration of the marriage. At 20 years and above, the court determines a fair and just alimony that is required.
If you require compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance for a matter of divorce, family or estate law, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley today. Our firm proudly serves clients in Mansfield, Massachusetts and throughout Bristol County.
