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Massachusetts Alimony Calculator

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Date of Service Complaint :
Income Totals and Deductions
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Gross Weekly Income
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Minus Capital Gain or Interest Income
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Minus Income Used to Calculate Child Support
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Payment & Terms
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Maximum Weekly Payment
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Full Months Years
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Maximum Alimony Duration
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Distribution Types
Rehabilitative Alimony Distribution
Reimbursement Alimony Distribution
Transitional Alimony Distribution

In the state of Massachusetts, when a couple divorces and one spouse is economically reliant on the other the court may order the independent spouse to provide the reliant spouse with money to sustain him or her for a certain length of time. These periodic payments are referred to as alimony.

The court considers several factors related to the marriage when determining the form, amount and duration of alimony payments.

What is Alimony Based On

  • The age and health of each spouse.
  • How long the couple was married.
  • Each spouse’s income and employment or employability. This includes employability with additional training and diligence, when necessary.
  • Marital lifestyle and the ability of each spouse to maintain that lifestyle.
  • Each spouse’s economic contribution to the marriage.
  • Any loss of economic opportunity due to the marriage.
  • Other factors that the court decides are relevant.

Alimony in Massachusetts

In general, the amount of alimony a spouse pays is not to exceed the need of the recipient; additionally, the amount is not to exceed 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the couple’s gross incomes: The gross incomes that were established when the alimony order was issued.

Massachusetts Alimony Reform of 2011

In the past, alimony was governed by statute but the statute was very vague.  It gave the court a lot of discretion and not a lot of guidance.  For most attorneys, trying to figure out alimony payments and duration was a nightmare because there was no clear formula, unlike child support calculations.  With the passage of the alimony reform, we will not have a clear directive as to how alimony is calculated and it sets the amount and duration of alimony payments.  There is still some discretion by the court but at least there is more certainty.  Having clear and certain numbers helps not only the court, but attorneys to negotiate a proper and fair settlement for parties in a divorce.

The new alimony law provides for 4 different types of alimony: General Alimony, Rehabilitative Alimony, Reimbursement Alimony and Transitional Alimony.

Duration of General Alimony:

  • If marriage is 5 years or less then alimony is no more than 1/2 the length of the marriage
  • If marriage is more than 5 years but less than 10 years, then alimony is no more than 60% of the length of the marriage
  • If marriage is more than 10 years but less than 15, then alimony is no more than 70% of the length of the marriage
  • If marriage is more than 15 years but less than 20, then alimony is no more than 80% of the length of the marriage
  • If the marriage is more than 20 years, alimony can be lifetime.
Alimony is terminated upon death, remarriage of the recipient spouse, and cohabitation of the recipient spouse.  Cohabitation is defined as living with someone for 3 months or more.  Alimony cannot be reinstated by a modification following the remarriage of the recipient spouse but can be reinstated following the breakup of the cohabitation.  General alimony will terminate upon retirement age of the payer.
Duration of Rehabilitative Alimony:  no more than 5 years initially but may be extended
Reimbursement Alimony is terminated upon death or a specific date but cannot be modified and is not calculated based on income.
Duration of Transitional Alimony: no more than 3 years and cannot be modified.
The amount of alimony will be 30-35% of the difference between the parties’ gross income

Various Factors Are Excluded When Calculating Income

When the court issues an alimony order, the court excludes various factors when calculating the couples’ income.

These factors include:

  • Gross income that the court has previously considered when setting an order for child support.
  • Dividend, interest and capital gains income deriving from assets that were equitably divided between the spouses.

Grounds for Deviation

When the court sets an initial order for alimony or modifies an existing alimony order, some circumstances may cause the court to deviate from the amount limits and duration for general term and rehabilitative alimony. It is important to note that any deviation from these limits will require written findings.

Grounds for deviation may include

Tax considerations that apply to both of the spouses; advanced age; uncommon health circumstances or chronic illness.

Any costs related to life and/or health insurance for the recipient spouse that is paid for by the spouse responsible for paying the alimony.

Interest, dividends, annuities, capital gains, any other unearned income and investment income that was not allocated when the couple divorced.

The court may decide to include a marital separation that lasted a significant amount of time or a premarital cohabitation in which an economic partnership was recognized when it determines how long the couple was married.

The inability for a spouse to provide for his or her own support due to deficiency of property, employment opportunity or maintenance. A spouse who is incapable of providing for himself or herself because of the mental or physical abuse caused by the payor.

Any other factors based upon written findings that the court considers material and relevant.

When the court determines the parties’ incomes for alimony, the court can choose to attribute income to a spouse who is underemployed or unemployed.

At Infinity Law Group, we know that the laws related to divorce, alimony and child support can be confusing. Our group of dedicated attorneys has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you through this difficult time. Please contact us today to discuss your situation.

Also, check out our Massachusetts Child Support Calculator.