When people get divorced, their emotional stress is very often compounded by the stress brought about by the legal and financial aspects of divorce as well. Many couples fear the process known as “equitable distribution,” which simple refers to a fair and just division of your marital assets, in the eyes of the courts. Generally, when a divorce goes through the litigation process, one, or both spouses will ultimately wind up unhappy with the outcome, as they have very little say in the process. However, there is one element of your divorce that may have more of an impact on the court’s decision that you think: the duration of your marriage.
If you and your spouse have been married for a considerable amount of time, it may significantly affect the way your assets are divided during the litigation process. Please read on and reach out to our experienced team of divorce attorneys to learn more about how the duration of a marriage can affect the outcome of your divorce. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Does the length of a marriage affect property distribution?
Essentially, if you have been married a long time and are the financially dependent spouse, there is a very good chance you will be awarded more of the marital property than your spouse. This is because the courts will generally seek to mitigate the financial impact of the divorce on both parties so they can enjoy a quality of life comparable to what they had while married.
However, those who were in short-term marriages may receive something closer to a 50/50 split of their assets, especially if both spouses were employed for the duration of their marriage. Regardless of the duration of your marriage, all spouses should know that if they feel they are legitimately entitled to their home, they have the right to hire an attorney who is ready to fight for it.
Does my marriage’s duration affect alimony or spousal support?
Essentially, the longer a marriage is, the longer the duration of alimony payments the dependent spouse will receive. On the flip side, the short the marriage, the shorter the term of alimony payments. However, in any case, there are certain instances where other aspects of life factor in, which may ultimately impact your alimony terms. If you have any further questions or need legal representation, our firm is here to help.
Contact our experienced Massachusetts firm
If you require compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance for a matter of divorce, family or estate law, please do not hesitate to contact the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley today. We recognize the impact a divorce can have on the lives of you or your children, which is why our firm proudly serves clients in Mansfield, Massachusetts and throughout Bristol County.
