Massachusetts Alimony Calculator
Build a Massachusetts alimony planning estimate from both incomes and marriage length. General-term duration often tracks Alimony Reform Act percentage-of-marriage caps, while amount still turns on need and ability to pay. This tool pairs a difference-% sketch with those duration bands. Click any i for detail.
Massachusetts planning inputs
Income figures are
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Income basis
Use comparable figures for both spouses (both annual or both monthly). |
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Payor income ($)
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Payor income
Spouse with greater ability to pay. Net is preferable when available. |
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Recipient income ($)
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Recipient income
Spouse seeking support — include wages and steady other income. |
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Marriage length (years)
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Marriage length
Massachusetts duration discussions often track short / moderate / long marriages. We sketch a duration ceiling from your years married. |
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Share of income difference (%)
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Difference share
Planning dial for amount. Massachusetts does not mandate this percent — adjust to match settlement talks. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter both incomes on the same annual/monthly basis.
- Enter years married.
- Set the difference-share percent used for the amount sketch.
- Compare the monthly estimate with the modeled duration band for your marriage length.
Results explained
Massachusetts reformed alimony types and general-term duration caps that rise with marriage length (roughly 50%→100% of months married across bands). Amount is not a single formula. We model a share of income difference (default 30%) plus reform-style duration fractions.
Quick reference: Massachusetts Alimony bands
Educational duration ceilings — not a substitute for current statute analysis.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amount model | % of income difference (default 30%) — need/ability still control |
| ≤5 yrs marriage | Duration sketch up to ~50% of marriage length |
| 5–10 / 10–15 / 15–20 | ~60% / ~70% / ~80% of marriage length |
| 20+ yrs | Indefinite general-term possible — still discretionary |
Reform Act duration bands are educational ceilings — confirm current statute and case law with counsel. House equity: divorce buyout calculator.
How the estimate is built
Monthly = diff% × income gap ÷ 12. Duration uses Mass.-style factors 0.5 / 0.6 / 0.7 / 0.8 / 1.0 of marriage years by band.
Example scenario
Payor $140,000, recipient $55,000, 30% → $25,500/year (~$2,125/month). Twelve-year marriage → ~70% band → duration sketch ~8.4 years.
FAQ
What did the Alimony Reform Act change?
It clarified alimony types and set general-term duration guidelines tied to marriage length — judges still decide amount and deviations.
Is cohabitation a termination event?
Massachusetts law addresses suspension or termination when a recipient maintains a common household — not modeled in this sketch.
Child support interaction?
Child support and alimony interact in family cases. Model support orders with your attorney before locking numbers.
Educational only?
Yes — not a prediction of Probate and Family Court outcomes.