Massachusetts Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support in Massachusetts using the state's Statutory Formula. Includes likelihood, amount range, duration, and the statutory factors that drive the result.
Massachusetts divorces typically cost 11% less than the national average of $12,900.
Alimony in Massachusetts
- Formula type
- Statutory Formula
- Fault considered
- No
- Domestic violence factor
- No
- Equal parenting presumption
- No
- Waiting period before final
- 90 days (about 3 months)
Alimony Calculator in Massachusetts: What You Should Know
Massachusetts is a formula state under the 2012 Alimony Reform Act, which brought real structure to what used to be an open-ended discretionary system. For general term alimony, the amount generally should not exceed the recipient's need or 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the spouses' gross incomes, whichever is less. The Act also ties the maximum duration to the length of the marriage on a sliding scale, with marriages longer than 20 years eligible for indefinite support. This framework makes Massachusetts awards more predictable than in most discretionary states, which helps both spouses plan and negotiate.
Key point: Under the 2012 Alimony Reform Act, Massachusetts general term alimony generally runs at 30 to 35 percent of the income difference, with duration scaled to the length of the marriage.
Tell us the basics
Locked to Massachusetts on this page.
Use your gross (before-tax) annual income.
Use their gross (before-tax) annual income.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Alimony in Massachusetts - Frequently Asked Questions
How is alimony calculated in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts uses a statutory formula. Courts start with a percentage of the income difference between the spouses, adjust for marriage length, and consider statutory factors including marriage length, income difference, standard of living.
How long does alimony last in Massachusetts?
Duration in Massachusetts typically scales with marriage length. Short marriages (under 5 years) often produce limited rehabilitative support. Medium marriages (5 to 15 years) commonly produce alimony lasting roughly one third to one half of the marriage length. Long marriages (20+ years) may produce indefinite or permanent alimony, particularly when the recipient cannot reasonably become self-supporting.
Can alimony be modified in Massachusetts?
Yes. Either spouse can ask the court to modify alimony based on a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, retirement, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, or a serious health change. Massachusetts courts typically require the change to be material and not anticipated at the time of the original order.
Does fault affect alimony in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts does not weigh marital fault in setting alimony. Courts focus on financial need, ability to pay, and the other statutory factors rather than blame for the divorce.
Is alimony tax deductible in Massachusetts?
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is no longer deductible by the payer or taxable to the recipient under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This federal rule applies in Massachusetts as it does in every state. Older orders entered before 2019 generally retain the prior tax treatment unless modified.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.