Alimony

Avoidable Alimony Mistakes

Thousands of couples divorce across the country every year. It can be a very stressful process for everyone involved. Some couples in Massachusetts, as well as other states, find it difficult to get along during the divorce proceedings. Unfortunately, some couples are never able to get along as well as they once did, especially when alimony or other support […]

Is Alimony Taxable in Massachusetts?

When navigating through divorce in Massachusetts, alimony can provide a life raft for financial stability. But specific questions often come up, particularly during tax planning season: Is alimony taxable as income? Are the payments tax deductible for the payor? Well, it’s more complex than a yes or no. Federal and state tax laws have changed, […]

The Role of a Consulting Attorney in Mediation in MA

Many people initially think that when they use the mediation process to develop the terms of their divorce settlement, they won’t be using an attorney. Then they learn that consulting attorneys are highly recommended, and often find out that their spouse will be using one. They wonder if they need one just to keep up. […]

What if My Ex Won’t Pay Alimony in Massachusetts?

Regardless of whether you have an amicable relationship with your former spouse, if they are failing to make alimony payments, you need to know your options. Failure to pay could be a deliberate act of rebellion, or it could be due to monetary problems or even a mistake. Massachusetts law gives you a way to […]

Understanding the Difference Between Alimony and Child Support

At first glance, alimony and child support seem quite distinct. Child support goes to support children, while alimony supports a former spouse. However, when you consider that the former spouse is the one accepting and using the child support payments, the differences start to blur quickly. The reasons for granting support, the support amounts, and […]

Is Alimony Taxable In Massachusetts?

Is alimony taxable? The short answer is that it might be. Depending on when your divorce decree or separation agreement became effective, the IRS may tax your alimony payments. Here is a guide to when alimony is taxable and when it is not taxable. How Does the IRS Define Alimony? Divorce lawyers often use the […]

How Retirement Affects Alimony in Massachusetts

One of the most difficult elements in any divorce is settling financial issues such as alimony. Although the party with greater earning potential may be expected to provide support to the other spouse for a time, the duration of alimony payments can be affected by many factors. How does retirement affect spousal support obligations in […]

Should you waive future alimony?

Alimony, which is support paid to an economically disadvantaged spouse after a divorce, can understandably become a huge bone of contention during divorce. So you might be relieved to find out that you and your spouse have incomes that are close enough together that an order to pay alimony from either of you is unlikely. […]

How much alimony do the Massachusetts courts order in a divorce?

When one spouse makes substantially more than the other, that can lead to greater financial issues for the spouse with less earning potential after a divorce. Particularly if that spouse stayed out of the workforce to care for the family home or to raise children, it may be reasonable for the courts to order alimony, also […]