Spousal Support/Alimony

Effective March 1, 2012, Massachusetts adopted new rules governing alimony. These new rules provide three different things.

The new alimony rules place durational limits on the obligation to pay alimony. Whereas before March 1, 2012 alimony was potentially unlimited in time, now most alimony awards have an end date and the durational limit is dictated by either the length of the marriage or the type of alimony being paid.

Secondly, the new rules established different types of alimony including: general alimony, rehabilitative alimony, reimbursement alimony and transitional alimony. Each of these types of alimony has their own advantages and disadvantages and it is important to speak with an attorney to decide which is right for you.

Finally the new alimony rules created a formula to determine the amount of alimony to be paid.