Library — Massachusetts Alimony Reform

Library

See below for alimony laws, legislative bills, and S.J.C. case law

Massachusetts divorce laws are a complex mix of legislation and case laws

The Legislative Law and Bills

Alimony Reform Law
- Press Release From Women's Bar Association in Support of Alimony Reform
- Senator Gail Candaras Remarks in Support of Alimony Reform
House Bill H740. An Act reforming alimony in the Commonwealth

Case Law: Durational Limits Are Constitutional

Van Arsdale V. Van Arsdale. The application of the durational limits of the Alimony Reform Act of 2011 to certain alimony agreements that predate the Act is not unconstitutionally retroactive.
Popp V. Popp. For reasons set forth in its decision issued today in Van Arsdale v. Van Arsdale, 477 Mass. __ (2017), the Supreme Judicial Court held that the durational limits of the Alimony Reform Act of 2011 are constitutional.

Case Law: Decision To Restrict Durational Limits

Alimony and Divorce Case Law Search

Massachusetts Alimony Reform Timeline

MASSACHUSETTS ALIMONY REFORM HAS BEEN WORKING FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS TO BRING PEACE, INDEPENDENCE, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY TO THE PARTIES OF DIVORCE. OUR MULTI-YEAR EFFORTS CULMINATED IN THE ALIMONY REFORM ACT BECOMING LAW ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2011.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE MASSACHUSETTS SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT, IN 3 DECISIONS, MISINTERPRETED THE LAW'S CLEAR INTENT IN 2015.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO RESTORE THE ALIMONY REFORM PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN MASSACHUSETTS, IN 2011..

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE JOB OF THE SJC IS TO “INTERPRET THE LAW” AND NOT MAKE LAW BY “LEGISLATING FROM THE BENCH”, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.