Going through a divorce is never easy for either partner. Whether it was mutual or you or your spouse initiated the divorce, no one plans to go through this legal process. Of course, as you get the process started, a lot of unexpected questions can arise.
Among those questions, you might be curious about your responsibility for child support and alimony. Specifically, can mothers be ordered to pay child support or alimony? Before talking with a divorce lawyer, let’s have a look at these considerations and how it can affect your plans moving forward.
The Basics of Child Support
Under Massachusetts law, the consequences and results of divorce are well-outlined. Add to this an array of case law, and you have a pretty clear-cut idea of what goes into determining child support during a divorce.
The foundation of these laws starts with the understanding that parents of a child are responsible for caring for him or her. More specifically, the amount that parent is responsible for providing is directly related to his or her income. So, does this mean a mother can be liable to pay after a divorce?
Can Mothers Pay After a Divorce?
When it comes to child support in Massachusetts, a mother can be liable for paying child support. Whatever role you played in the marriage or divorce, it’s important that you discuss with your divorce lawyer how much of this liability may fall on your shoulders.
If you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement, the court will use its own judgment to determine a “just” amount that one or both parties will have to pay. Knowing this, you might ask whether the same applies to alimony.
What About Alimony?
Alimony is another common term tossed around during a divorce. It refers to money that one spouse owes to another after divorce. In non-legal terms, it’s often referred to as “spousal support” for this exact reason. Like child support, a mother can be held responsible to pay alimony after separation.
The exact amount of alimony due can vary based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the length of the marriage, the income of each spouse, economic contributions from each spouse, age and health factors.
Of course, just because alimony can occur, that doesn’t mean it will. In fact, there are many instances where no alimony is given to either party after a divorce. If you want to make sure you fall into this category, hiring the right divorce lawyer is imperative.
Working With a Divorce Lawyer
When you’re working with a divorce lawyer, it’s important that you state any concerns you have about child support or alimony up front. In doing so, you can make sure your attorney approaches the issues most important to you during this process and focuses on the most favorable outcomes.
At Shapiro Law Group, we focus on ensuring your divorce goes as smoothly as possible. This means working with you throughout the process and fighting for the best possible outcome in your situation. Pick up the phone and call us today at (339) 298-2300 to see how we can help.
