Spousal Support & Alimony

Spousal Support & Alimony Lawyers in Woburn, MA

Legal Guidance in Middlesex County & Greater Boston

Spousal support, commonly called alimony in Massachusetts, means financial help that one spouse may need to pay the other after separation or divorce.

Alimony helps the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living close to what both people experienced while married. People sometimes use “spousal support” and “alimony” interchangeably, but “alimony” is the legal term under Massachusetts law.

At Schaefer Law PC, we help you understand your rights and obligations when it comes to alimony, whether you seek payments or are asked to provide them. We bring over 35 years of practical experience in handling family law cases. Our team resolves disputes through negotiation, mediation, and litigation.

We stay current with changes in Massachusetts family law to give clients the latest advice about spousal support and alimony. Every family matter brings unique facts and needs. We guide clients step by step to address financial well-being, plan for future needs, and move through each part of the legal process confidently.

Reach Schaefer Law PC online or at (617) 917-3299 for a complimentary consultation with a Woburn spousal support and alimony attorney.

Types of Alimony in Massachusetts

Massachusetts recognizes several types of alimony, each suited to different circumstances:

General term. Ongoing support paid to a financially dependent former spouse. The duration of payments partially depends on the length of the marriage.
Rehabilitative. Short-term support meant to help the recipient reach financial independence while completing education or job training.
Reimbursement. Granted when one spouse contributed to the other’s education or career growth during the marriage. People usually pay this as a lump sum or over a short period.
Transitional. This limited payment helps the receiving spouse adjust to a changed lifestyle after divorce.

You can seek alimony as part of your divorce or at any time after your divorce is finalized.

Each type of support addresses a specific need. Courts typically grant general term alimony when one spouse did not work outside the home or earned much less than the other. Transitional and rehabilitative alimony provide temporary payments so recipients can adjust their finances or return to the workforce. When a spouse supports the other's career, reimbursement alimony repays some of the benefit that helped the family during the marriage.

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Marriage Length in General Term Alimony

The length of general term alimony depends on the length of the marriage unless the court decides otherwise. The statute offers set guidelines for how long alimony lasts based on the marriage duration.

Marriages of five years or less: Alimony can last up to 50% of the length of the marriage.
More than five years but less than 10 years: Up to 60% of the marriage length.
More than 10 but less than 15 years: Up to 70%.
More than 15 but less than 20 years: Up to 80%.
20 years or more: The court may order indefinite alimony.

These percentages are the maximum, but the court may order a shorter period or later change the duration if there is a major change in circumstances.

The relevant timeline starts from the date of marriage to the date the divorce complaint was served.

Spouses can develop their own alimony agreement as part of a larger divorce settlement. If both parties negotiate in good faith, mediation helps resolve disputes and leads to legally binding decisions while avoiding court.

In many cases, changes in income, job status, health, or new family circumstances may allow a spouse to seek a modification to alimony. Massachusetts law lets either party ask for changes if a substantial and material change occurs after the original order. The court then reviews the facts and decides if it’s appropriate to adjust or end alimony. Document changes in employment or health carefully, as these facts are critical for the court. An experienced attorney in family law can discuss your options for seeking a modification and preparing your request thoroughly.

Modifying or Terminating Alimony Orders

Circumstances often shift after a divorce, and Massachusetts law gives people the right to ask for a change or an end to alimony if conditions warrant it. To modify an alimony order, the party must show a clear change, like income loss, new health problems, the recipient’s remarriage, or retirement. The court reviews each case and can increase, decrease, or stop payments if the facts support it. Timely action helps protect your financial interests if your situation changes. Document shifts in earnings, work, or health, as that evidence strengthens your position in court. A knowledgeable family law attorney helps clarify your legal rights and prepares the necessary documents for your modification request.

Enforcing Alimony Orders in Massachusetts

If one party does not pay court-ordered alimony, Massachusetts courts have tools to enforce the order. These measures include wage garnishment, property liens, or sometimes contempt proceedings. Accurate records of missed payments and communication will support your effort if enforcement becomes necessary. Taking action as soon as payments fall behind gives the court enough time to resolve the issue. A spousal support attorney can guide you through filings and represent your interests if you must pursue enforcement. Knowing your options helps maintain your financial security if your ex-spouse fails to meet their obligations.

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How Alimony Is Determined in Massachusetts

Unlike child support, Massachusetts law does not use a fixed formula to calculate alimony. Instead, the court reviews several factors before awarding alimony and setting the amount, including:

The length of the marriage
Each spouse’s income and employment status
Age and health of both parties
Contributions to the marriage, including homemaking and parenting
The lifestyle maintained during the marriage
Economic and non-economic contributions by each party
Lost economic opportunity caused by the marriage

Courts also examine any other relevant details that would make an alimony award fair and reasonable for both sides.

As your legal team, we pursue fair support agreements based on financial disclosures, earning capacity, and Massachusetts standards. Our alimony lawyers in Woburn focus on goals that match your needs and your long-term security.

Tax law changes have changed how alimony payments get treated. For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, payors cannot deduct alimony payments on federal tax returns, and recipients do not pay income tax on payments received. These changes influence how both parties might negotiate, settle, or structure support agreements. Consulting an experienced attorney helps you understand what these new rules mean for your finances so you can make informed choices while preserving your interests.

Contact us at (617) 917-3299 today to discuss your case one-on-one with one of our attorneys.

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