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Alimony

Alimony is court-ordered support paid by one spouse to the other for a period of time after a divorce.

Alimony is paid by a spouse who has the ability to pay to a spouse in need of support for a period of time. Only people who are divorcing or are divorced can ask for and receive alimony.

Request alimony during your divorce

If you are getting divorced, you ask for alimony as a part of the divorce process. It is not a separate procedure.

Information about the divorce process  How the court decides on alimony 

Request alimony after you are divorced

If your original divorce judgment didn't mention alimony, you can file a complaint for alimony for the first time at any time after your divorce.

Request alimony for the first time after you're divorced  How the court decides on alimony 

Change your alimony

The person paying alimony or the person receiving alimony can ask for a change in alimony, or you can both ask together.

Find out if you're eligible to change your alimony  Request to change your alimony  How the court decides on changes in alimony 

Learn about the 4 types of alimony and when alimony typically ends  Mass. law about alimony: information on laws, cases, and additional web sources  Glossary of court terms 

Contact Information

Online

Probate and Family Court locations 

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