Alimony/Spousal Support
The right to alimony has always been alive and well in Massachusetts but in 2011 with the enactment of the Alimony Reform Act, Massachusetts General Laws chapter 208 sections 48-53, it has become center stage in a lot of divorces. Both spouses have a legal entitlement to receive alimony upon a divorce. The standard is need and an ability to pay. Whether you need alimony or ought to be paying alimony is dependent on a lot of factors. When you meet with Attorney Belinsky to discuss your upcoming divorce, alimony will be one of the items discussed. How alimony will impact you and the affects on your future requires a full discussion.
Attorney Belinsky is knowledgeable and well versed in the statutory provisions and the recent case law that interprets the statutes. What your needs today and tomorrow are relevant and material. Don’t be shy; ask your questions.
Whether or not alimony should be granted, how much should be awarded, and how long it should continue depends on the facts and circumstances of your marriage and certain statutory factors, including the length of the marriage, your standard of living during the marriage, the relative income of each spouse and the needs of each spouse. Retaining an experienced alimony attorney is essentially to the presentation of your case to the judge who will be weighing in on this issue.
In Massachusetts, there are four types of alimony:
- Temporary alimony. This type of alimony provides support during the divorce action, which may include attorney fees and relevant litigation costs.
- Rehabilitative alimony. Rehabilitative alimony helps a dependent spouse become self-reliant and may end when an ex-spouse has found a job or has completed his or her education.
- Reimbursement alimony. This type of alimony is awarded to the spouse who worked to support the family while the other spouse pursued professional training or career development. It may end or the amount paid may decrease once the spouse has been compensated.
- Permanent alimony. Permanent alimony is given to a spouse who is seriously ill or who has demonstrated economic need. This agreement can be modified due to changing financial needs or other circumstances.
Our firm works with you to determine what kind of alimony is the best for your situation.
Striving for your peace of mind
At The Law Offices of Ilene B. Belinsky P. C., we represent clients who are seeking alimony as well as those who will be required to pay it. Our clients are often concerned about whether they are required to pay alimony if their circumstances change. Others come to us if they are not receiving the alimony payments specified by the agreement. We can help you present evidence to the court as to why the amount you pay should be decreased or request that the court properly enforce the existing alimony agreement.
Call the Law Offices of Ilene B. Belinsky today at 508-436-4613 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Brockton office.
