When it comes to alimony, there are a multitude of issues that you may have to consider. For example, you may be responsible for paying alimony, or you could be the one who expects to receive alimony and are unsure of how much you will be getting. Moreover, couples in Boston and other Massachusetts cities may wonder how long alimony payments must be made. On top of these considerations, there are other issues that may be relevant to you, such as reimbursement alimony.
According to the Massachusetts Judicial Branch, there are different forms of alimony that people are required to pay in the state. These include transitional alimony, rehabilitative alimony, general term alimony and reimbursement alimony. With regard to reimbursement alimony, someone will have to pay his or her former spouse alimony to reimburse them for expenses that they covered during the marriage, such as paying for college tuition. Reimbursement alimony cannot be paid for any more than five years and this type of alimony can be paid all at once or in a series of payments.
Regardless of the type of alimony you anticipate paying or receiving, it is essential to handle these issues carefully. After all, alimony can impact your financial future in various ways. If you are responsible for paying, your monthly payments could hurt your budget and there may be consequences if you miss payments. On the other hand, those who receive alimony may face hardships if they are not given enough.
Remember, this is not to be seen as an alternative to legal counsel.