When it comes to divorce, each case is unique. For example, couples who do not have children may have a very different experience when compared to those with kids. However, alimony can be particularly challenging for couples, including those ordered to pay alimony and people who will receive payments as well. If you live in Boston, it is vital to understand how Massachusetts handles alimony and find answers to any questions you have, such as how long you will be obligated to make payments.

When courts determine how long you will be required to pay alimony, there are a number of details concerning your marriage to your spouse that will be taken into consideration. According to the Massachusetts Court System, there are various types of alimony, including general term alimony, reimbursement alimony, transitional alimony and rehabilitative alimony.

If you are required to pay general term alimony, the duration of your alimony payments will depend on the length of your marriage. For example, if you have been married for over 20 years, the judge can determine how long you should pay alimony. If your marriage did not last 20 years, it will depend on how many months you were married. As an example, you may have to pay alimony for 30 months if you were married for 60 months. However, you may have to pay alimony for a period that equals up to 80 percent of the duration of your marriage if you were married for 15 to 20 years.

This post is not to be taken as legal advice and was only written to provide helpful information on alimony.