How is alimony calculated in Massachusetts?

How long do you have to be married in Massachusetts in order to be eligible for alimony?

In Massachusetts, you generally need to be married for at least 5 years to be eligible for alimony.

How is alimony determined in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, alimony is determined based on factors such as the length of the marriage, the financial needs of each spouse, their earning capacities, and their contributions to the marriage. The court considers these factors to decide on the amount and duration of alimony payments.

What are the laws and regulations regarding child support and alimony in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, child support is determined based on the income of both parents and the needs of the child. Alimony is awarded based on factors such as the length of the marriage and each spouse's financial situation. Both child support and alimony orders can be modified if there is a change in circumstances. It is important to consult with a family law attorney for specific guidance on these matters.

If you have been married for ten years and are divorcing will i be entitled to spouse's pension and Massachusetts?

Nope, you may get alimony, but you are not entitled to his pension after divorce.

Can you get permanent alimony after 10 years of marriage?

Only a few states allow for permanent alimony because such an institution is generally frowned upon. As of this writing, only 3 states in America allow for permanent alimony, which are Massachusetts, Mississippi and Tennessee. The reason why many states fell out of favor with this is because permanent alimony was deemed too harmful to the payer and prevented the payer from beginning a new life. Were the payer to remarry and have children, the financial burden would be detrimental to the new family (which are now victims of the permanent alimony).

Can you collect alimony in Massachusetts?

Yes, in no-fault divorces in Massachusetts - which represent the vast majority of divorces - just about anyone who makes less than their divorcing spouse can collect "indefinite" aka "lifetime" alimony in Massachusetts. It is often 1/3 to 1/2 of the payers income. The repercussions of this are far-reaching, destructive, and draconian. Because alimony goes on "forever," parties are permitted to return to court whenever "circumstances" change, such as losing a job, illness that prevents you from working, and retirement. However, when the payer returns to court to plead for lower payments, they are often not granted. Such returns to court can cost upwards of $10,000, if not much more.This is a great deal for divorce lawyers, who get to retry cases throughout life, but it is a unspeakable hardship for payers of alimony, who, at time of greatest hardship, are forced to return to court and plead their cases all over again. ALimony recipients, 96 of whom are women, are never expected to become self-supporting, and alimony payers who cannot afford alimony payments are routinely imprisoned for months at a time. Few people in Massachusetts to whom this has not happened have no idea that these are the laws.The non-profit, citizens organization, Mass Alimony Reform (http://www.massalimonyreform.org), has started a movement to update these 19th century laws, and they introduced a bill, HR 1785, in early 2009. It is supported by 72 legislators, men, women, Democrats and Republicans. The only opposition to this bill is from lawyers, including the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Women's Bar Association. In testimony before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, members of these organizations have testified, wrongly, that women would no longer receive alimony under HR 1785; this is a complete falsehood. Under 1785, alimony is awarded for half the length of the marriage, with a cap of 12 years, unless there are extraordinary circumstances warranting it for longer.Massachusetts alimony laws are so barbaric that they require the live-in girlfriends and second wives of alimony payers to contribute, somewhat indirectly, to alimony to the ex-spouse. Alimony recipients are allowed to cohabit for the rest of their lives without alimony being reduced or eliminated.Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton, Wellesley, Brookline) is co-chair of the Joint Judiciary Committee of the MA legislature, and is also a working divorce lawyer ($450 per hour). She opposes HR 1785, and supports a bill that would add two words to the current statute and thereby give judges the authority to terminate alimony whenever the judge decides it would be appropriate, if ever. Without further guidelines, divorces will continue to be costly, contentious, and have unpredictable outcomes. In contrast, HR 1785, offers alimony for half the length of the marriage, with a cap of 12 years, except when children under 16 are living with the mother. HR 1785 also keeps the resources of girlfriends and second spouses from being used in alimony considerations. It also permits alimony payers to end alimony payments once they retire at 66. Under current law, an alimony payer must pay till his death or the recipient's death or remarriage (alimony recipients, some of whom collect $200,000 per year, do not remarry). Thus, there are sick 80 year old men paying alimony from their Social Security payments and unable to buy medication because of this.Many local media have publishes and broadcast exposés on these laws, including BOSTON MAGAZINE, and the BOSTON BUSNIESS JOURNAL, and Fox News 25. These may be viewed at the Mass Alimony Reform website, http://www.massalimonyreform.org.

If paying alimony and ex spouse becomes eligible to draw Social Security on ex spouse who is paying alimony can alimony payments stop?

It depends on the wording of the alimony decree. Generally, the alimony and the Social Security are independent of one another.

Do you have to pay alimony if you're not married in Georgia?

No. Alimony is ordered as part of the dissolution of a marriage. Unmarried partners are not entitled to alimony. See related question link.No. Alimony is ordered as part of the dissolution of a marriage. Unmarried partners are not entitled to alimony. See related question link.No. Alimony is ordered as part of the dissolution of a marriage. Unmarried partners are not entitled to alimony. See related question link.No. Alimony is ordered as part of the dissolution of a marriage. Unmarried partners are not entitled to alimony. See related question link.

How does Iowa determine alimony?

the man has to pay the wife alimony :)

Does the decease estate continue to alimony?

In the US, alimony terminates upon death. If there is back alimony due that's a different matter.

What are alimony lawyers good for?

Alimony is when two people are divorced and one has to pay the other to help maintain their style of living. Alimony Lawyers are good for helping one of the divorcees get the alimony they deserve or even more.

Where can one go to find information about different alimony attorneys?

One can find information about different alimony attorneys from websites like legalmatch. One can also read up on the different types of alimony payments, like rehabilitative alimony, lump sum support, or permanent alimony.