Massachusetts Alimony Reform

Massachusetts Alimony Reform, enacted in 2011, aimed to make spousal support more predictable and equitable. The law set clear guidelines for calculating alimony based on factors like the length of the marriage and the recipient’s needs, moving away from judicial discretion. It established different types of alimony—such as temporary, general, and rehabilitative—and set limits on duration and amounts, especially for marriages of shorter duration. The goal is to ensure alimony is fair, consistent, and aligned with contemporary economic realities, while also encouraging recipients to become financially independent when possible.