While the concept of spousal support has been around for decades, it is still relevant today. Obtaining spousal support can be a complex process, since determining whether one party to a divorce might owe the other financial support, what amount of support they owe, and how long those payments will continue is complicated.
When it comes to establishing a fair and legally enforceable alimony payment, there is no substitute for guidance from a Boston spousal support lawyer. No matter what your marriage was like or what circumstances led to it ending, a seasoned family attorney could advocate for your rights and best interests throughout every stage of alimony proceedings, both in and out of court.
What Factors Impact Alimony Orders in Boston?
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208 §48 defines four types of alimony that a court may award or require someone to pay. General term alimony is the only long-term spousal support option – reserved for situations where the recipient spouse demonstrates substantial financial need. This arrangement varies based on how long the marriage in question lasted.
Outside of that, alimony is only awarded to bridge a relatively short time between a divorce becoming finalized and the recipient spouse becoming financially independent. In these situations, alimony is referred to as transitional child support. Meanwhile, reimbursement alimony works to pay back the recipient for effort or time put into the other partner’s financial resources. Finally, rehabilitative alimony aims to repay a spouse until they receive enough education or job training to support themselves.
MA Gen. Laws Ch. 208 §53 list several factors in addition to marriage length that courts may consider when determining what type, amount, and duration of alimony is appropriate, including:
- Each spouse’s age and overall health
- The lifestyle each spouse was accustomed to while married, as well as their ability to maintain that lifestyle independently
- Each spouse’s current and future earning capacity
- Contributions made by each spouse to the marriage, in both economic and non-economic forms
- Any economic or personal opportunities sacrificed by either spouse to support their partner
A hardworking Boston attorney could help prioritize certain factors over others in pursuit of a preferable court order for spousal support.
Possible Spousal Support Durations Under State Law
Under MA Gen. Laws Ch. 208 §49, the maximum amount of that time general term alimony may last is defined as a percentage of the total time the couple was married. For example, the order can only last for 50 percent of the marriage’s length if it lasted less than five years, while marriages that lasted between 15 and 20 years may allow a general term alimony order. This order would last for 90 percent of the marriage’s length.
If a marriage lasted 20 years or more, a court may impose indefinite general term alimony. This would only end when either spouse dies or if the recipient spouse remarries or cohabitates with someone long-term. An alimony lawyer in Boston could go over how these rules might impact a particular case during a private consultation.
Discuss Your Options with a Boston Spousal Support Attorney
Alimony can be one of the most contentious and legally complex aspects of any divorce, especially when a marriage lasted a long time. Fortunately, assistance is available from knowledgeable legal professionals who know how to best handle your unique circumstances.
A qualified Boston spousal support lawyer could analyze your case, offer personalized advice, and help you pursue the agreement you need to keep your life on track. Call today to schedule a meeting.
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