When couples in Massachusetts get divorced, one of the factors that they may have to deal with is whether alimony will be awarded to a dependent spouse. Alimony is different in every state so it is important to be aware of how this legal obligation works in yours. In Massachusetts, there are four different types of alimony.
The first form is general term alimony. How long the alimony obligation will last is very dependent on the length of the marriage. For example, alimony for a marriage that lasted less than 5 years will only last for a maximum of 50% of the length of the marriage. However, if a marriage lasts between 15 and 19 years, the court can award alimony for up to 70% of the duration of the marriage.
When an individual needs spousal support to help them settle into their new life, the court may award them transitional alimony. Typically, transitional alimony will only apply to marriages that lasted less than 5 years. Another form of alimony is known as rehabilitative alimony, which is a short-term payment to assist a dependent spouse become financially independent. The last type of alimony is known as reimbursement alimony, which pays back one party for the money they spent supporting their spouse throughout the marriage as they pursued education.
If you have questions about whether you may be eligible for alimony payments, contact our firm today.
If you require compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance for a matter of divorce or family law, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley today.
