Boston, MA family law attorney Terri Partridge talks about the issues that arise in the area of MA spousal support. She faces the biggest challenge in Massachusetts concerning spousal support and child support due to the recent case law Kavanaugh that emerged in the appeals court at the end of last year. The intriguing aspect is the uncertainty surrounding its implementation, given its significant alteration in the calculation of alimony and child support.

Historically, a client without children might receive, for instance, 25% of the gross income for alimony. However, if the same woman had three children, the calculation of child support would lead to a lesser amount. In this scenario, a woman with no children would receive more alimony or support than a woman with children. This serves as an example of the issue the appeals court aimed to address, with an admirable goal of rectification. Nevertheless, judges exhibit resistance to such drastic changes, posing a considerable challenge in determining its impact.

The case, when interpreted literally, mandates that every source of income, including perks, be utilized for child support. The alimony calculation must follow three different approaches: considering child support first, alimony calculation first, and then conducting an analysis. Understanding what to anticipate from the court has become a genuine challenge. Despite this, her primary focus remains on achieving the best outcome for her client, taking into account the implications of this new case law and striving to ensure fairness.