Massachusetts general-term alimony amount
How Massachusetts limits general-term alimony amounts.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208, §53 states that, except for reimbursement alimony or circumstances that justify deviation, the amount of alimony generally should not exceed the recipient's need or 30% to 35% of the difference between the spouses' gross incomes established when the order is issued. [3]
Compare recipient need with 30% and 35% of the applicable gross-income difference.
This calculator shows both percentage references after limiting each by the monthly need you enter. The 30% number is not a legal minimum. A court can order less, and §53 permits deviation from the usual limits when the statutory requirements for deviation are met. [3]
Section 53 uses the Massachusetts child-support-guidelines definition of income, but excludes certain income from assets divided between the spouses and gross income already considered to set child support. The current Child Support Guidelines took effect December 1, 2025. [3][4]
Massachusetts general-term alimony duration
How marriage length limits general-term alimony duration.
For marriages of five years or less, general-term alimony ordinarily lasts no longer than 50% of the marriage length. For marriages over five and up to 10 years, the limit is 60%; over 10 and up to 15 years, 70%; and over 15 and up to 20 years, 80%. For marriages longer than 20 years, the court may order alimony for an indefinite length of time. Courts can deviate from the duration limits when the statutory requirements are met. [2]
Questions about Massachusetts alimony calculations.
Is 30% of the income difference the minimum Massachusetts alimony payment?
No. Section 53 says the amount generally should not exceed the recipient's need or 30% to 35% of the income difference. It does not make 30% a required minimum payment. This calculator therefore labels the two figures as statutory references, not a predicted award range. [3]
Does a marriage longer than 20 years guarantee lifetime alimony?
No. Section 49 allows general-term alimony for an indefinite length of time after a marriage longer than 20 years, but other termination, modification, retirement, remarriage, death, and cohabitation rules can affect an order. [2]
Does this calculator cover rehabilitative, reimbursement, or transitional alimony?
No. Chapter 208 defines several forms of alimony. This tool is limited to general-term alimony because the amount and duration rules implemented here are tied to that form. [1][2][3]
Massachusetts alimony sources and calculator limits
- 01Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208, §48: definitions
- 02Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208, §49: general-term duration
- 03Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208, §53: amount and factors
- 04Massachusetts Courts: 2025 Child Support Guidelines income definition
Public-source check: September 6, 2026. Current calculator rules release: 0.18.0. Source checking and automated testing are not attorney review or a guarantee of legal correctness.