Alimony/Spousal Support Lawyer in Massachusetts
Alimony and spousal support refer to the support given by one spouse to another after divorce. It represents the promise to support one another and can be established until the death of one of the parties. Attorney Kenneth D. van Colen helps clients negotiate alimony, or fight a support award and modify current agreements because of changed circumstances.
At the Law Office of Kenneth D. van Colen, I will explain the ever-changing alimony laws in Massachusetts, while also helping to assist in creative solutions to the support issues you may be facing. Contact me, an experienced family law attorney, to learn how I can help with your divorce or spousal support issues today.
Massachusetts attorney handles alimony issues
In Massachusetts, when a couple signs a marriage license, they are effectively promising to care for one another for the rest of their lives. That doesn't change after divorce. That's why divorce often leads to the determination of spousal maintenance or alimony decree, specifying the amount, duration and party to receive support after divorce.
If the marriage is short-term, the court often attempts to put the parties in the same position they were in when they married. On the other hand, intermediate or long-term marriages often lead to spousal support awards.
I assist divorcing couples in negotiating the terms of the spousal support. Negotiation is cost-effective and eases tension when going through a divorce. I help determine whether the assets can be used to waive spousal support. I also fight spousal support awards by challenging the factors or allegations of the other spouse.
Modifying spousal support awards
The difficulty in modifying an established alimony or spousal support award depends on whether it was merged with the divorce judgment. A spousal support decree that has been merged is easier to modify because of changed circumstances. The court will evaluate the circumstances of you situation, including:
- Marriage to another person
- Changed job or salary
- Financial hardship
- Changed child custody or support modification
These considerations may allow the court to use its discretion to modify an existing support decree. Alimony awards that are not merged with the divorce decree are much more difficult to change. Generally, they remain set in stone but I recommend that all of my clients considering a request to modify a spousal award talk to me before moving forward.
Getting an attorney involved in your spousal support issue as early as possible can save significant problems and expenses later. Contact me to schedule an opportunity to discuss spousal support.
