Reviewed August 2026
Spousal Support in Massachusetts
Massachusetts calls spousal support alimony. The Probate and Family Court decides it as part of a divorce case. This falls under the Alimony Reform Act of 2011, codified at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208, sections 48 through 55. Massachusetts is one of the few states with a codified statutory formula tying the duration of general term alimony to the length of the marriage. M.G.L. c. 208, § 49 sets alimony duration by marriage length. For a marriage of 5 years or less, general term alimony generally cannot exceed 50 percent of the number of months of the marriage. For a marriage of more than 5 but not more than 10 years, the limit rises to 60 percent of the marriage length in months. A marriage of more than 10 but not more than 15 years carries a limit of 70 percent. For a marriage of more than 15 but not more than 20 years, the limit is 80 percent. Marriages longer than 20 years give the court discretion to order general term alimony for an indefinite duration. The statute does not set a numeric percentage for the amount of alimony. Massachusetts courts commonly apply an advisory range of roughly 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the parties' gross incomes. That range comes from case law interpreting the statute rather than from the statutory text itself.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how spousal support works under Massachusetts law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Massachusetts paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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The codified duration formula
M.G.L. c. 208, § 49 sets specific percentage limits on general term alimony duration based on marriage length in months. The limit is up to 50 percent of the marriage length for marriages of 5 years or less. It rises to 60 percent for marriages over 5 but not more than 10 years. It rises again to up to 70 percent for marriages over 10 but not more than 15 years. The limit reaches up to 80 percent for marriages over 15 but not more than 20 years. For marriages longer than 20 years, the statute does not impose an automatic durational limit, and the court can order indefinite general term alimony.
Types of alimony under the Reform Act
The Alimony Reform Act identifies several forms besides general term alimony. Rehabilitative alimony runs for a predicted period until the recipient becomes self-supporting, capped at 5 years by statute. Reimbursement alimony compensates a spouse for contributions to the other's education or job training, typically for shorter marriages. Transitional alimony helps a spouse adjust to a new lifestyle after a shorter marriage.
How the amount is decided
The statute itself does not state a numeric formula for the dollar amount of alimony, unlike its duration provisions. Massachusetts courts frequently apply an advisory range of roughly 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the parties' gross incomes. This guideline developed through case law such as Cavanagh v. Cavanagh rather than being written directly into the statute. Courts also weigh the statutory factors of each spouse's income, employment, health, and the marital lifestyle.
Modification, retirement, and termination
General term alimony generally terminates upon the recipient's remarriage, the payor reaching full Social Security retirement age, or the death of either party. This is subject to the terms of the order. It can also be modified or suspended based on cohabitation. The statute defines cohabitation as maintaining a common household with a romantic partner for a continuous period of at least three months. This can justify reducing or terminating the award.
Sources: M.G.L. Chapter 208, Section 53 (alimony, general provisions), IRS Tax Topic 452, Alimony and Separate Maintenance
Not independently confirmed
- The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court's public self-help pages returned access errors and could not be independently verified at HTTP 200; confirm current self-help resources directly at mass.gov.
- The exact statutory text of Section 49's duration percentages and Section 48's rehabilitative alimony cap should be confirmed directly at the linked malegislature.gov site by navigating to those specific sections.
Spousal Support in Massachusetts: frequently asked questions
What is alimony called in Massachusetts?+
Massachusetts statute uses the term alimony. It is governed by the Alimony Reform Act, codified at M.G.L. Chapter 208, sections 48 through 55. The Probate and Family Court decides it as part of a divorce case.
How long does alimony last in Massachusetts?+
M.G.L. c. 208, § 49 sets duration limits tied to marriage length. For marriages of 5 years or less, the limit is up to 50 percent of the marriage length in months. The limit rises to 60, 70, and 80 percent for longer marriage bands up to 20 years. Marriages over 20 years can support indefinite general term alimony.
Does Massachusetts have a formula for the alimony amount?+
Not in the statute itself. Courts commonly reference an advisory range of about 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the spouses' gross incomes. This guideline comes from case law interpreting the statute rather than from the statutory text directly.
Does cohabitation affect alimony in Massachusetts?+
Yes. The statute allows a court to modify, reduce, or terminate general term alimony. This applies if the recipient has maintained a common household with a romantic partner for a continuous period of at least three months.
Does the payor's retirement end alimony in Massachusetts?+
It can. General term alimony generally terminates when the paying spouse reaches full Social Security retirement age. This is subject to the terms of the specific order and any grounds to deviate from that rule.
Is alimony taxable in Massachusetts?+
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, federal law no longer allows the paying spouse to deduct alimony. It also no longer requires the recipient to treat it as taxable income, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Agreements executed before 2019 generally keep the older tax treatment unless later modified.
This page is general information about spousal support in Massachusetts, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Massachusetts's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Virdix does not prepare or file Massachusetts divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Massachusetts.
More Massachusetts divorce guides
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