Can Alimony Payments Be Adjusted?
Practical Advice From the Divorce and Family Law Offices of Daniel J. Szostkiewicz
Do you have questions about whether you should be paying less alimony to your former spouse? Do you think your former spouse should be paying more alimony than the current court-ordered support agreement?
Under some specific circumstances, modification of alimony orders may be possible. The guiding principle regarding modification of alimony orders is whether the payor or payee has experienced a substantial change in financial circumstances.
At the Divorce and Family Law Offices of Daniel J. Szostkiewicz, in Springfield, Massachusetts, we recognize that spousal support payments are especially important during times of recession. If you think you are receiving too little, or paying too much, we can review your circumstances and give you our professional opinion about whether the possible change in alimony payments will outweigh the potential costs of a legal battle.
For answers to your questions about modifications of alimony orders, consult an experienced attorney who knows how to get results. Contact attorney Daniel J. Szostkiewicz at 413-739-1121 or toll free at 1-866-959-4271 to set up a free initial consultation. A practical and strategic lawyer, Mr. Szostkiewicz represents clients in Springfield, Northampton and Greenfield, Massachusetts, as well as out-of-state clients.
Alimony adjustments may be possible without an original alimony order
Did you know that modification of alimony orders may be possible even if the original divorce decree did not contain an alimony order? Alimony adjustments may even be feasible if the spouses waived their rights to alimony modification as part of the divorce agreement.
Reasons to seek modification of an alimony order
Under Massachusetts law, a family court judge may permit upward or downward modification of an alimony order if there has been a substantial change in financial circumstances for either the payor or the payee. Examples of substantial changes in financial circumstances include:
- Either person loses his or her job or suffers a substantial pay cut
- The payer retires from his or her employment, either voluntarily or as part of an incentive program
- The payee gets a promotion or a new job and achieves financial self-sufficiency
- The payer or the payee becomes seriously disabled and has increased medical costs
- The cost of health insurance premiums increase for either the payer or payee
Nothing in Massachusetts law states that a family court judge shall increase or decrease alimony if any of the above circumstances is true. Thus, legal representation by a seasoned lawyer will help you make the strongest possible argument to protect your financial future.
Schedule a complimentary consultation at the Divorce and Family Law Offices of Daniel J. Szostkiewicz. Call 413-739-1121 or toll free at 1-866-959-4271, or send an e-mail.
1350 Main St.
Ste. 1407
Springfield, MA 01103-1668
Telephone: 413-739-1121 | Toll free: 1-866-959-4271 | Fax: 413-739-1131
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