Alimony · Massachusetts · Caps or time limits
Alimony in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law (the Alimony Reform Act, G.L. c. 208 §§ 48–55) defines general term, rehabilitative, reimbursement and transitional alimony. General term alimony has maximum durations tied to the length of the marriage, and the amount should generally not exceed the recipient’s need or 30–35% of the difference between the spouses’ gross incomes, unless the court finds a reason to deviate.[1]
Key facts: alimony in Massachusetts
| How the law sets it | Caps or time limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | Generally no more than need or 30–35% of the gross-income difference[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
The key limit
Generally no more than need or 30–35% of the gross-income difference[1]
Massachusetts law sets limits but no formula for the amount, so there's nothing to calculate: the court decides within them.
From the official text
What Massachusetts law says about alimony
Plain-English summaries of Massachusetts’s statute and court rules as of the date shown on each, with the quoted text. Not legal advice: laws change and courts apply them case by case.
The statute
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 53
The main alimony statute.[1]
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 53 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“the amount of alimony should generally not exceed the recipient's need or 30 to 35 per cent of the difference between the parties' gross incomes established at the time of the order being issued.”
Amount cap
Generally no more than need or 30–35% of the gross-income difference
Except for reimbursement alimony or where deviation is warranted, alimony should generally not exceed the recipient’s need or 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the spouses’ gross incomes.[1]
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 53(b) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“Except for reimbursement alimony or circumstances warranting deviation for other forms of alimony, the amount of alimony should generally not exceed the recipient's need or 30 to 35 per cent of the difference between the parties' gross incomes established at the time of the order being issued.”
How long it lasts
General term: 50% / 60% / 70% / 80% of the marriage’s months
For marriages of 20 years or less, general term alimony ends by a set date: up to 50% of the marriage’s months if 5 years or less, 60% if over 5 to 10 years, 70% if over 10 to 15 years, 80% if over 15 to 20 years (the court may deviate in the interests of justice).[2]
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 49(b) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“If the length of the marriage is 5 years or less, general term alimony shall continue for not longer than one-half the number of months of the marriage.”
How long it lasts
Over 20 years: may be indefinite
For marriages longer than 20 years, the court may order general term alimony for an indefinite length of time.[2]
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 49(c) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The court may order alimony for an indefinite length of time for marriages for which the length of the marriage was longer than 20 years.”
When it ends
Ends at remarriage, death, or payor’s full retirement age
General term alimony ends when the recipient remarries or either spouse dies, and once issued it ends when the payor reaches full retirement age (with limited exceptions for good cause).[2]
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 49(a), (f) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“Once issued, general term alimony orders shall terminate upon the payor attaining the full retirement age.”
When it ends
Cohabitation of 3+ months can suspend, reduce or end it
General term alimony is suspended, reduced or ended if the payor shows the recipient has kept a common household with another person for at least 3 continuous months.[2]
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 49(d) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“General term alimony shall be suspended, reduced or terminated upon the cohabitation of the recipient spouse when the payor shows that the recipient spouse has maintained a common household, as defined in this subsection, with another person for a continuous period of at least 3 months.”
Divorce in Massachusetts: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in Massachusetts
Is there an alimony calculator for Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts law doesn't set alimony by formula: massachusetts law (the Alimony Reform Act, G.L. c. 208 §§ 48–55) defines general term, rehabilitative, reimbursement and transitional alimony. General term alimony has maximum durations tied to the length of the marriage, and the amount should generally not exceed the recipient’s need or 30–35% of the difference between the spouses’ gross incomes, unless the court finds a reason to deviate. — Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 53[1]
How long does alimony last in Massachusetts?
For marriages of 20 years or less, general term alimony ends by a set date: up to 50% of the marriage’s months if 5 years or less, 60% if over 5 to 10 years, 70% if over 10 to 15 years, 80% if over 15 to 20 years (the court may deviate in the interests of justice). — Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 49(b)[2]
Is there a limit on alimony in Massachusetts?
Except for reimbursement alimony or where deviation is warranted, alimony should generally not exceed the recipient’s need or 30 to 35 percent of the difference between the spouses’ gross incomes. — Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 53(b)[1]
When does alimony end in Massachusetts?
General term alimony ends when the recipient remarries or either spouse dies, and once issued it ends when the payor reaches full retirement age (with limited exceptions for good cause). — Mass. Gen. Laws c. 208, § 49(a), (f)[2]
States with an alimony formula
Not legal advice. MediationList is a directory of court-listed mediators, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Summaries follow the official text as of the date checked; courts apply it case by case.
Sources
Massachusetts’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.