Leominster Child Support Lawyers
Massachusetts Alimony/Spousal Support Attorney
After divorce, one of the most contentious issues is the payment of alimony, oftentimes referred to as spousal support. Whether you are seeking to collect alimony or you want to prevent unmanageable support obligations, you need to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Massachusetts law as it pertains to alimony and spousal support is complicated, and there are significant financial and tax issues relating to the resolution of these matters. There are interrelationships between issues of child support and alimony, as well as alimony and property division under Massachusetts law. Moreover, alimony law in Massachusetts is constantly evolving and changing, and it is important to choose an attorney familiar with these changes in the law.
Attorney Robert A. Antonioni and attorney Robert A. Mason appear in the probate and family court on a weekly basis, where alimony/spousal support issues are determined. They are known and respected by the judges who sit on these cases, and the area attorneys who practice in this area. This familiarity with the court environment where visitation matters are resolved is invaluable to our clients.
Attorney Robert A. Antonioni has litigated many cases where alimony rights have been litigated, both during a divorce and afterward to change, eliminate or implement an alimony order. He has provided his clients with a steady presence and practical advice in these contentious situations.
Antonioni & Antonioni Law Office is an experienced family law firm focused on strategic advocacy for clients facing complex family legal disputes. We are experienced in representing a diverse clientele in family law matters, including high-asset families.
To arrange a free and confidential, initial legal consultation with our Leominster child support attorney, please call 978-401-0823 or contact us by e-mail. You are under no obligation to retain our services.
Child Support and Alimony in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law is complicated when it comes to the distribution of alimony, so it is important that you have legal representation, regardless of your financial situation. The court may attempt to seize bank accounts and garnish wages for nonpayment of child support or alimony. You need a skilled attorney to present your circumstances to the judge and pursue a fair initial order, or modification of a prior child support or alimony order.
Our lawyers are experienced with complex cases involving:
- Establishment of an initial order for child support and/or alimony
- Enforcement of child support orders
- Enforcement of alimony orders
- Modifications to original child support or alimony orders
- Paternity-related child support issues
- Estate-related child support issues
- Tax consequences related to child support and alimony/spousal support
- Establishment or enforcement of out-of-state support orders
Determinations of Support
When determining child support, the court will consider the income of both parties, the cost of day care and health/dental insurance for both parties, and other factors, including the standard of living during the marriage and any special needs of the children. Essentially, the amount of the child support order will be determined by the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, which takes into account all of these different factors. It is important that child/spousal support is correctly calculated from the outset, because it can be difficult to modify. In certain situations, the court can also consider a child support amount which is higher or lower than the amount determined by the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines.
Unlike child support, alimony determinations can be subjective, so you need an advocate who can properly present your needs to the court. There are also specific tax consequences for both spouses in alimony orders that do not apply in child support cases.
Contact us to schedule a free, initial case evaluation with one of our Massachusetts alimony attorneys. Our attorney will listen to your concerns, answer your questions and explain the options available to you.
