Is Alimony an Option For Me?

To start off, you may be wondering: What is alimony? Am I entitled to it? Alimony is payment from one spouse to another for financial support following a separation or divorce. It may be paid in one “lump buyout” or through smaller, continual payments.

Anyone can request alimony, and you can even request it after your divorce has been finalized. Alimony is usually granted in cases when there are major differences in each parties’ gross income.

There are many factors judges take into consideration when deciding whether or not to grant alimony. These include, but are not limited to*:

• the length of marriage (alimony is more likely to be granted in long-term marriages)

• both parties employability

• both parties economic and non-economic contributions to the marriage

• Lost economic opportunity due to the marriage

  *https://www.mass.gov/service-details/how-the-court-decides-on-alimony

As an example, let’s say the parties were married for many years, and one of the parties dropped out of college to take care of the home, the children, and support the other party’s career. Now, thirty years later, the parties are getting divorced. Although this is just a hypothetical and there are many other factors that are involved, including the judge’s own discretion, there would be a good case for alimony support in this situation. The party’s lack of a college degree affects their ability for future employment after the divorce. The party contributed to the marriage fairly, through non-economic contributions and lost out on potential income due to their non-economic contribution.

Do you believe that your ex-spouse should be paying you alimony, or are you the payor and wish to stop alimony payments? Fill out the form below for a free consultation.