Spousal Support in Massachusetts
State-specific overview · Family Law
Massachusetts courts consider 14 factors including earning capacity and standard of living when awarding alimony.
How Massachusetts treats Spousal Support
Massachusetts law generally follows a standard approach but emphasizes the recipient's need and the payor's ability to pay. Courts examine factors like length of marriage, age, health, and each spouse's earning capacity. Alimony terminates automatically upon the payor's retirement at full retirement age, unless the parties agree otherwise or the court finds good cause to extend it.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.