Alimony is financial support paid by a higher earning spouse to a lower earning spouse who is economically dependent on the higher earning spouse to maintain a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage.  In 2012, Massachusetts overhauled its laws relating to Alimony creating categories of alimony, time periods for alimony, as well as creating some basic equations that determine how Alimony is calculated and when it will stop.  The primary issue in determining alimony relates to determining whether or not a spouse has a need for alimony and whether or not the higher earning spouse has an ability to pay alimony.  If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then alimony will likely be ordered.  The court will utilize a series of factors to determine each party’s need, each party’s true income, and create an alimony order based on those factors.
The Attorneys at Schwartz & Plante are skilled at litigation relative to alimony cases – both in obtaining alimony for a truly dependent spouse, or defending against an alimony claim that is brought without basis.  From determining someone’s true income, to ascertaining the actual needs of a party, the lawyers at Schwartz & Plante utilize the most up to date technological tools and experts in finance to make sure that any case involving alimony is handled properly.