If you are getting divorced in Boston, there is a good chance that an alimony order will be part of your divorce settlement. Used to help support the financially dependent spouse, alimony can last for a few months, a few years, or even the remainder of a person’s life. If you are seeking a divorce and have questions about alimony, the Law Office of Heather M. Ward has answers. Call us today to learn how we can help you navigate the divorce and alimony processes.

When Does a Court Award Alimony?

Alimony, also called spousal support, is awarded to a financially dependent spouse when that spouse does not have the income or means to support themself otherwise. With that in mind, a court will consider the following factors when deciding both whether or not to award alimony, and if so, how large an alimony award should be:

• How long the marriage has lasted;
• The age of both parties;
• The income and employability of both parties;
• The contributions made by each party to the other during the course of the marriage, both economic and noneconomic;
• The ability of each party to maintain the quality of life to which they’ve become accustomed during the course of the marriage;
• The value of lost economic opportunity that occurred as a result of the marriage;
• The health of each party; and
• Any other factors the court finds relevant.

Types of Alimony

While all forms of alimony involve one party making payments to another, there are multiple types of alimony. These include:

 

• Transitional alimony – This type of alimony helps the alimony-receiving spouse transition to their new life. This alimony is only for couples whose marriages lasted for five years or fewer.
• Reimbursement alimony – Like transitional alimony, this alimony is only designed for marriages that lasted for five years or fewer, and is designed to reimburse one spouse for contributions made to the other during the course of the marriage.
• Rehabilitative alimony – If one spouse is expected to be self-sufficient and financially independent by a predicted amount of time, rehabilitative alimony will be paid for a short time period until financial independence is achieved.
• General term alimony – Finally, general term alimony refers to regular alimony payments made to an ex-spouse who is financially dependent on the other. For how long this type of support lasts is dependent upon how long the couple was married.

 

 

 

 

 

Do I Need an Alimony Attorney?

If you think that an alimony award may be part of your divorce settlement, it is strongly recommended that you work with an experienced Boston alimony attorney. In addition to determining whether or not you will receive or pay alimony, an attorney can also help you to understand the laws regarding duration of alimony and modification of alimony awards. Your attorney can also advocate for you to ensure that your alimony order is just.

Call Our Boston Alimony Lawyer Today

Attorney Heather M. Ward is a skilled, client-focused Boston alimony lawyer with the experience you’re looking for. If you’re going through a divorce, the Law Office of Heather M. Ward will provide you with the guidance and advocacy you need. To schedule a consultation, please call us at (617) 903-8955 today, or send us a message using the contact form on our website.