Modification Of Alimony
MASSACHUSETTS ALIMONY MODIFICATION ATTORNEYS IN FRANKLIN AND BELLINGHAM
Modifying Alimony Due to a Material Change in Circumstances
As is the case with many other family law matters, orders of alimony may be modified, either in duration or amount, due to a material change in circumstances. Examples of a material change in circumstance that may warrant a modification of an alimony order include:
- The loss of employment of the paying spouse;
- Change of income of the paying or receiving spouse;
- The onset of serious illness of the receiving spouse;
- Increase in need of the recipient spouse.
Any such modification of alimony could be permanent, indefinite or for a fixed period of time, at the discretion of the judge.
Modifying Alimony Under the Alimony Reform Act
In addition to the traditional grounds of a material change in circumstances, complaints for modification of alimony may now be filed pursuant to the Alimony Reform Act by a payor who is presently ordered to pay alimony in excess of the term limits allowed under that law. The Alimony Reform Act provides for various dates on or after which such modifications may be filed, based upon the length of the marriage. For instance, for marriages of five (5) years or less, a complaint for modification of an alimony order that is inconsistent with the Alimony Reform Act may be filed on or after March 1, 2013 whereas a payor who has been married for more than fifteen (15) but less than twenty (20) years cannot file such a complaint for modification until September 1, 2015.
Contact Us
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Massachusetts alimony modification attorney, please contact us. You can call our Franklin office at 508-570-4581, our Hyde Park office at 617-910-3664 or send us an e-mail.
Find out whether your alimony payments may be modified. Call our Franklin office at 508-570-4581 or our Hyde Park office at 617-910-3664. You can also e-mail us to learn more about our legal services.
