ALIMONY / SPOUSAL SUPPORT

Please note that Attorney Varszegi is currently not accepting any new cases.

In Massachusetts, unlike for child support, there are no guidelines specifying how much alimony, also known as "spousal support", should be paid-- if any-- or for how long. Factors for alimony include the length of the marriage, contribution of each party as a homemaker to allow the other to earn outside the home, future earning potential of each party, financial needs of the party following the marriage, and many other factors. Not only can the analysis and argumentation of these factors be complex, but the law is currently evolving in this area.

For example, the law is currently in a period of evolution away from liberal allowance of alimony, and moving more towards an era where any alimony awards are time-limited, though the longer the marriage, the more likely an extensive or permanent period of alimony could result. In addition, family court judges today may be much less likely to award alimony in conjunction with child support. Attorney Varszegi is aware of factors judges use in assessing alimony, and is prepared to make creative arguments to affect alimony judgments favorably for clients. For example, marital property may be given in lieu of support, resulting in a more favorable cash flow situation that is better for a particular person.

Spousal support judgments can also be subject to modification after a divorce is finalized. If you feel that an award of alimony was too little or too much in your divorce, especially if there has been a material change in circumstances since the divorce that makes a modification of alimony necessary or fair, contact the office for a free consultation. This is a technical area, and the exact wording of any divorce agreement can be quite important in a determination of your rights to modification of the divorce judgment.

Please note that Attorney Varszegi is currently not accepting any new cases.