Alimony Lawyers in Salem, MA

Secure Strong Legal Counsel Early in the Divorce Process

After a divorce, one party may be required to pay alimony on a temporary, interim, or indefinite basis based on the length of the marriage. Courts have broad discretion in determining alimony payments, and Massachusetts alimony law changed significantly with the Alimony Reform Act. 

Because of these factors, one thing is certain: You need strong legal representation and counsel from the earliest stages of your case.

Additionally, at the outset of a divorce case, the judge may issue temporary orders that could require alimony payments. These orders typically become the basis for long-term orders that are part of your final divorce decree and settlement. 

If you're anywhere in Massachusetts, from Salem and the North Shore to Boston and beyond, you should obtain representation by an experienced and aggressive attorney as soon as possible.

At the Salem law office of Koiles Pratt Family Law Group, with a second location in Boston, we can begin protecting your interests immediately. We represent clients throughout Massachusetts from the beginning of a divorce action until a final settlement or judgment is reached, as well as modifying an order post-divorce.

Request a consultation with a Salem alimony attorney by contacting us online or at (978) 744-7774. Virtual consultations are available at both our Salem and Boston offices. 

The Four Types of Alimony We Handle Under Massachusetts Law

Massachusetts recognizes four distinct types of alimony, each intended for a different situation:

• General term alimony - ongoing support, typically awarded in longer marriages, with its duration tied to the length of the marriage.
• Rehabilitative alimony - support intended to help a spouse become self-sufficient, capped at five years absent compelling circumstances.
• Reimbursement alimony - support for marriages of five years or less, compensating a spouse who contributed to the other's education, training, or career advancement.
• Transitional alimony - a payment, capped at three years, to help a spouse adjust to a new lifestyle or location after a shorter marriage, also limited to marriages of five years or less.

General Term Alimony 

For general term alimony, Massachusetts law sets durational limits tied directly to the length of the marriage:

• Five years or less - alimony lasts up to 50% of the marriage's length
• Five to 10 years - up to 60% of the marriage's length
• 10 to 15 years - up to 70% of the marriage's length
• 15 to 20 years - up to 80% of the marriage's length
• More than 20 years - may qualify for alimony of an indefinite duration

General term alimony generally ends when the paying spouse reaches full retirement age. However, a Massachusetts court has discretion to set a different date or grant an extension for good cause.

General term alimony can also end earlier than expected. When a recipient spouse shares a primary residence with another person, maintaining what Massachusetts law calls a "common household," for a continuous period of three months or more, the paying spouse can ask the court to suspend, reduce, or terminate alimony. 

These retirement and cohabitation rules apply specifically to general term alimony; they don't apply to rehabilitative, reimbursement, or transitional alimony, which end according to their own separate terms.

Alimony - One Option Among Several

You need to make important tax considerations when determining your best interests in an alimony case. For some, it may make more sense for both parties to agree on a property settlement rather than alimony payments. In other situations, the parties may agree to alimony for reasons of predictability and security.

Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients’ interests in alimony cases. We understand the many tax, financial, and personal issues that alimony presents, and work diligently to guide you, discuss, and define the recommended legal strategy to obtain a favorable result.

We also advise clients on calculating alimony under the 2011 law passed by the Massachusetts Legislature. We verify that these calculations are done properly and negotiate a fair alimony agreement that both parties and the court can approve. 

We can also help those seeking a modification of alimony payments established before the passage of the 2011 Alimony Reform Act.

Here to Protect Your Interests

To learn more about alimony, how the recent legislative changes may affect your situation, and how we can help you make the right decisions about your future, consult a Salem alimony lawyer at our firm as soon as possible.

Call (978) 744-7774 or message our firm online to speak with an alimony lawyer at our Salem or Boston office today.