(781) 531-8673Alimony Attorneys in Melrose, MA
Assisting Clients With Issues Related to Spousal Support
After a divorce has been finalized and the paperwork signed, the day-to-day realities begin to set in, and one of those realities often involves the issue of alimony. Alimony, often referred to as spousal support, is a court-ordered financial obligation in which one spouse pays a set monthly amount of money to the other spouse.
Alimony is not guaranteed in Massachusetts. Whether you receive alimony or not will depend on a variety of factors, such as the number of years that the parties were married to one another and their individual incomes. This income does not include any proceeds from child support.
If you have legal questions with regard to receiving or paying alimony, then you need experienced legal representation to resolve your issues. One of the most difficult aspects of divorce is that it can wreak havoc on your finances.
The Martino Law Group, LLC of Melrose, MA, is firmly committed to working with each individual and analyzing their personal circumstances in each case. Whether you are court-ordered to pay alimony or receive payments, we work diligently on your behalf to ensure that the outcome is fair.
How Long is a Person Obligated to Pay Alimony in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law provides that the length of time alimony payments must be made is dependent upon the length of the marriage. If you were married for under 5 years, the court could not require payments for more than 50% of the number of months that you were actually married. Conversely, payments can be determined at the judge’s discretion for couples who have been married for over 20 years.
There are specific instances when alimony may completely stop, which include the following:
- Either spouse passes away
- The spouse who receives alimony remarries or lives with a new partner, whether married or not, for at least 3 months.
- The spouse responsible for paying alimony (the payor) reaches retirement age.
If you feel that your alimony order needs to be reviewed and subsequently modified, contact our law group and speak with one of our experienced attorneys, who will be glad to explain your legal options.
What is the Massachusetts Alimony Cohabitation Provision?
The law in Massachusetts used to only provide termination of alimony if the former spouse who was receiving alimony remarried. It did not specify any provisions for cohabitation. However, in March 2012, the law was redefined, and now it states that a judge is obligated to either reduce, suspend, or permanently discontinue alimony if the individual receiving alimony is in “cohabitation” with another person continuously for at least three months.
In Massachusetts, cohabitation is defined as a “common household.” Suppose two people hold themselves out to others as a couple, live together in the same residence, and have an interdependence established through economic means. In that case, they will be considered to be cohabitating with one another.
Can Alimony be Modified In Massachusetts?
It is possible to modify an order for alimony in Massachusetts, but there are only certain reasons that qualify your request to be brought before the court. You must be able to prove that there has been a change in your personal circumstances that significantly alters your need or ability to pay. The individual who is responsible for paying alimony must be able to demonstrate the change is considerable enough for the court to request a reduction in payments. Conversely, if the recipient is the individual making the request, they must be able to prove that their life change justifies an increase in alimony.
Some of the most common reasons that the court allows for a change in alimony payments include the following:
- Change in salary
- Change in employment status
- Cohabitation
- Remarriage
If you feel that you have strong legal grounds to ask for a change in alimony, no matter which side of the coin you may be on, contact the Martino Law Group, LLC today and ask to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced family law attorney who can explain the process of reducing or increasing alimony payments and help you understand your legal options.
Do You Need an Attorney For an Uncontested Divorce?
When two partners are able to agree on most aspects of their divorce, including spousal support, it makes the entire process easier and less emotional. You may feel like you do not need divorce representation for an uncontested divorce, but the legal process is complicated, even when both spouses agree.
Working with a family law attorney can help you cover your bases, lessen the odds of future issues, and ensure your rights are being protected. Even when everything seems agreeable, you may be missing an important detail that could come back to haunt you in the future.
How Can an Alimony Attorney Help You With Your Alimony Payments?
Regardless of whether or not you are seeking to terminate, reduce, or increase alimony payments, you need a lawyer who will put together a solid legal plan that is specific to your personal circumstances.
The family law attorneys of the Martino Law Group, LLC recognize that the world we live in is becoming more expensive every day. We also realize that situations may have changed significantly since your alimony order was issued. We are committed to examining all of the facts that surround your case and working to determine a strategy by which we can come to a resolution that is favorable to all parties involved.
Our law group has various resources available to assist us in determining whether you are eligible for an increase in your alimony payment or a reduction in your alimony obligation. We also have skilled investigators who can help us determine whether your former spouse is now cohabitating with another individual, which may cause your alimony payments to be terminated. We offer divorce representation and assistance with family law, like child support and child custody. Do you need help with alimony or other legal services?
Contact our law offices by calling (781) 531-8673 and ask to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable family law attorneys. We can offer you a free case review, listen to your side of the story, analyze any evidence that you may have, and work closely with you to find the best strategy for your claim. We are fully committed to obtaining an outcome that is fully favorable to you.