{"id":373925,"date":"2016-09-15T09:36:09","date_gmt":"2016-09-15T14:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-alimony-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-06-19T11:40:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T16:40:58","slug":"massachusetts-alimony-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-alimony-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Alimony and Spousal Support Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Alimony and Spousal Support Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Alimony or spousal support<\/a> are payments made to one spouse by another in a divorce case. Alimony allows a lower-income spouse to maintain the marital lifestyle following a divorce. In Massachusetts, payment of alimony is not automatic. Alimony is modified or terminated when the recipient spouse remarries or becomes self-sufficient. In most cases, alimony only lasts for a certain period of time, depending on the length of the marriage.<\/p>\r\n

Massachusetts Alimony Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Massachusetts bases alimony on the parties’ gross incomes after any child support orders. In general, alimony cannot exceed 30-35% of the difference between the parties’ income at the time of the order (Mass. General Laws Ch. 208, \u00a7 53<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Massachusetts courts can award four types of alimony:<\/p>\r\n