Middlesex Spousal Support Attorney

Spousal support or alimony is financial support provided to a spouse after a legal separation and once a divorce is complete. It is awarded for a number of reasons, but most often because one spouse lacks the education, training or work experience to maintain a certain standard of living.

Unlike child support, spousal support does not follow strict guidelines. Instead, the court may award alimony to a spouse after considering a number of pertinent factors, including:

  • Age and health of both parties
  • Current incomes and earning histories
  • Employability/employment histories
  • Length of the marriage
  • Current expenses
  • Number of minor children
  • Amount of child support payments

In issuing an alimony order, the court should not exceed the recipients need or 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the parties’ gross incomes.

At the Law Offices of Renee Lazar in Bedford, Massachusetts, we provide customized and comprehensive legal guidance regarding the establishment of spousal maintenance. Attorney Lazar will protect your interests, whether you are seeking alimony or looking to protect yourself from being ordered to pay too much.

Bedford Alimony Lawyer

The Massachusetts legislature passed the Alimony Reform Bill and the new law took effect in March 2013. The bill outlines the duration of alimony awards, prohibits the use of a second spouse’s income or assets in assessing an alimony award, sets a presumption that alimony will terminate upon attaining full retirement age, terminates alimony upon remarriage and certain cohabitation, and considers child support in the determination of the amount of alimony.

The length of a couple’s marriage now determines the length of time alimony is paid. The new law essentially ends lifetime alimony awards, although the courts can still issue lifetime alimony for marriages lasting more than 20 years.

It is important to have an experienced Middlesex County spousal support lawyer protecting your rights in the establishment of alimony. We will carefully review the financial positions of both parties and work to reach an agreement on a fair alimony settlement in order to avoid litigation. If a settlement cannot be reached, we will provide an accurate financial assessment to the court and advocate on your behalf.

We offer a free consultation in which our knowledgeable Bedford family law attorney can review your situation and recommend the best course of action. Contact us to schedule an appointment.