Alimony is a form of support that a person pays to their former spouse. Massachusetts residents can request alimony when they end their marriages, and that support can take on different forms depending upon their circumstances. However, it is important that individuals remember that not every divorce will involve alimony. For some, self-sufficiency is possible and alimony may not be needed.
Alimony can take on a general form, in which it is paid from one person to the other for an indeterminate amount of time. This form of alimony is awarded when one party depends on the other for financial help. When a party only needs alimony so that they can get their single life started, they may be awarded a type of short-term alimony called transitional alimony.
Rehabilitative alimony is given to some who need to be trained or educated so that they can find their own jobs once their marriages are over. Rehabilitative alimony is not permanent and is intended to help a person become self-sufficient. Finally, reimbursement alimony is given to individuals who helped pay for their exes’ education or who stopped their own careers or education so that the other could thrive.
Alimony is just one of the many important considerations that individuals will have to deal with when they decide to end their marriages. Their needs and a number of other factors can and will influence if they will receive alimony and, if so, how much they will receive. This post is intended to provide information to its readers but does not offer any legal advice. Such support should be sought from a dedicated divorce and family law attorney.
