To qualify for alimony support, the receiving spouse must prove financial hardship and make a case for monetary assistance, whether temporary or long-term.
Massachusetts Alimony Requirements One of the most notable alterations is the provision generally specifying that alimony orders terminate when the payor reaches “full retirement age.” The age of retirement is based on Social Security guidelines, currently set between age 66 and 67.
Child support is never deductible and isn't considered income. Additionally, if a divorce or separation instrument provides for alimony and child support, and the payer spouse pays less than the total required, the payments apply to child support first. Only the remaining amount is considered alimony.
After a divorce, it's common for one spouse to make payments to the other as part of the divorce agreement. These payments can be alimony, child support or a mix of both.
Please complete an application for support online utilizing Pennsylvania's E-Services filing system. Use this link: E-Services. E-Services uses a series of questions to complete documents to be forwarded to Montgomery County Domestic Relations Section (DRS).
If your original divorce didn't award alimony, and didn't mention alimony in any way, you can file a complaint for alimony for the first time at any time after your divorce. To request alimony, you'll need to file: Complaint for Alimony. This is a form you write yourself, not a form you get from the court.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court took a novel approach and determined that the alimony law and the child support guidelines allow the court to consider awarding both alimony and child support based on the same income.