EXPLAINING HOW THE MASSACHUSETTS ALIMONY REFORM ACT MAY AFFECT YOU
Our lead attorney Monique Boucher Lamb was born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts. She has watched the Massachusetts alimony laws change over the years. She stays up-to-date on changes in divorce law, including the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act. She can help you understand how it will affect your alimony, whether during a divorce or when looking to change existing alimony arrangements.
UNDER THE NEW LAW, LIFETIME ALIMONY PAYMENTS ARE RARE
The new alimony law established some drastic changes to the alimony laws. First, it placed a limit on the duration of alimony based on the number of years the couple was married.
For example, if a couple was married for less than five years, the alimony cannot last for more than 50 percent of the length of the marriage. Therefore, if a couple was married for two years, alimony could not last more than one year. For long-term marriages that lasted longer than 20 years, extended alimony periods can be granted. However, alimony will end at the age of retirement.
OTHER CHANGES UNDER THE NEW LAW INCLUDE:
-
Limits to the amount of alimony that can be paid, based on the incomes of the parties
-
Alimony ends if the receiving spouse remarries
-
Alimony can be modified or finished if the receiving spouse cohabitates with a partner
These changes to the alimony law help us to provide you with a straightforward assessment of the alimony you can expect in your divorce.
CHANGE YOUR EXISTING ALIMONY UNDER THE NEW LAW
If you were married before the change in the law, we can help you modify your existing alimony or terminate your alimony. Not all existing alimony orders can be changed immediately. Under the new law, for example, those who were married for less than five years can change their alimony starting March 1, 2013. We can help you understand the time frame for your modification and assist you with the modification process.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Contact us today for a free initial consultation with an experienced family law and divorce lawyer. We can discuss issues concerning your alimony and spousal support case.
ATTORNEY MONIQUE B. LAMB
Since founding the practice on January 4, 1999, Monique has dedicated her career to family law, providing clients with compassionate yet practical guidance through some of life’s most challenging moments. With over two decades of experience, she understands the complexities and emotional toll of family law cases and focuses on achieving resolutions while minimizing unnecessary conflict. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]
"Attorney Boucher-Lamb is thorough, resourceful, and a highly knowledgeable attorney. I hired her many years ago and we have worked together for the past eight years. She is professional, reliable, personable, and an overall fantastic attorney. I highly recommend her; she is fair and gets the job done."
-DANIELLE
"I had a fantastic experience with a very difficult time in my life. The divorce was hard for me, but Monique was the consummate professional. Without her guidance and support, I don't know how I would have made it through."
-DAWN M.
"Monique is a fantastic lawyer. She expeditiously helped my husband and I pull together our estate papers. She was very helpful with any questions I had, and was extremely thorough."
-JESSICA S.
"Monique helped me through one of the worst times of my life. She was always looking out for my interests, she is very knowledgeable in her field, and she is completely genuine."
-ANONYMOUS
Dealing with child custody issues can stir up a lot of emotions and get pretty complicated; it can become even more so when one of the parents may be unfit to have custody of their child. The courts have a big job on their hands in these situations, as they have to figure out which parent is best equipped to take care of the child. They look at a whole range of factors, all with the child's best interests at heart. Whether you believe the othe[...]
