Safeguarding Your Financial Future With Fair Spousal Support

Spousal support, or “alimony,” can be a contentious issue, and we understand that the financial implications of a divorce can be frightening. We understand the alimony laws, we know when it’s appropriate to request alimony and we know the importance of getting an order that is fair to both parties.

Spousal support in Massachusetts is based on both the recipient’s need and the payer’s ability to pay. Whenever appropriate, we will include alimony in negotiating an agreement or argue for it to be included in the final judgment if your case goes to trial.

We Know How The Court Works

Much like the division of assets in divorce, the court looks at a variety of subjective issues to determine whether spousal support will be awarded. At the very minimum, the court will consider:

• The length of the marriage (up to the date a divorce summons is served)
• Need and ability to pay
• The age and general health of the parties
• The social station, occupation, education and job skills of the parties
• The conduct of each party during the marriage
• The relative wealth and income of each party
• Any special needs of either party
• The prospects of the recipient becoming self-sufficient
• Any premarital or postmarital agreements and their enforceability

The court can order different forms of spousal support, depending on the specifics of your case:

• Transitional alimony, to cover relocation costs after a short marriage
• Reimbursement alimony, to cover the costs of education or training
• Rehabilitative alimony, to assist a spouse expected to eventually obtain financial independence
• General alimony, for spouses who are totally financially dependent, usually up to the retirement of the paying party

Willing To Negotiate, Able To Fight

We are a small, boutique firm that takes our clients’ needs personally. Your future is important to us, so we listen to you. We are willing to reach a fair settlement through negotiation when the other side is reasonable. We also have the skills necessary to offer the court a strong argument on your behalf when the other side will not cooperate.

To schedule your confidential consultation with one of our lawyers, please call us at 978-464-1071. We serve clients throughout Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk, Plymouth, Worcester, Bristol and Barnstable counties.