The divorce process can completely alter your financial status. Not only are marital assets divided between spouses, but the couple might be required to pay spousal or child support to the other. Support payments between former spouses are fairly common, especially for couples who have kids. If you’re a Massachusetts resident, you might be wondering if alimony requests can be denied in your state. Our knowledgeable law firm has the answers you need! Continue reading this blog to learn more, or reach out to one of our Bristol County Alimony Lawyers for individualized legal counseling.
CAN ALIMONY REQUESTS BE DENIED IN MASSACHUSETTS?
Child support and spousal support are both usually calculated after marital assets are divided between spouses. There are many different situations in which a spouse could be denied support payments even if they request them. Most of the time, an alimony request is declined simply because the court thinks the payments would be unnecessary or financially damaging to the payor. However, many other factors can come into place when determining alimony in the divorce process. The grounds for divorce usually won’t be taken into consideration unless it had an impact on the couple’s shared finances. For example, a spouse might be denied alimony if they spent a lot of household funds recklessly.
HOW IS ALIMONY CALCULATED?
The calculation process for spousal and child support payments can be confusing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the logistics of the divorce process. To figure out exactly how much you’ll owe, we recommend asking a trustworthy divorce attorney who can help you through the calculation. A lawyer will have experience with all aspects of divorce and the knowledge you’ll need to succeed.
Some factors taken into consideration when calculating alimony include:
- Each spouse’s age and health
- Each spouse’s financial status, including annual net income, assets, properties, potential earning capacity, debts, inheritances, etc.
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s standard of living during the marriage, and how they maintained this standard of living
- Each spouse’s contributions to the household, family businesses, shared accounts, etc.
- Each spouse’s employment history
Are you currently in the midst of the divorce process and wondering if you or your spouse might be eligible for alimony? If so, you might want to speak with an experienced divorce attorney who can answer all of your questions. The good news is that our knowledgeable law firm is ready to help! Contact the Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley today for an initial consultation.
