When a Massachusetts marriage ends in divorce, the financial fallout can lead to a drastic shift in budgeting and financial stability for both sides. Child support and spousal support are among the most pressing concerns for many. Regardless of whether an individual expects to pay or receive either form of financial support, the way that the numbers will break down will have a big impact on their future financial outlook. Understanding how the payments are likely to be structured is a top priority during the early stages of a divorce. While there are a number of online resources that claim the ability to calculate alimony and child support payments, the best source of information about these matters is one’s divorce attorney. For those spouses who expect to make these payments, the first step in calculating the estimated payment amount is to provide the attorney with a comprehensive accounting of one’s income, as well as any income earned by the other spouse. It is also important to provide bank statements, recent tax returns, retirement account information and any other relevant financial information. For those spouses who expect to receive child support and/or alimony, the same information is required, for both you and your spouse. It may also be helpful to have a list of any special needs on the part of shared children, and a summary of any expenses such as private schooling, tutoring or other expenses that fall outside the realm of general living expenses. Using this information, the attorney

It has been many years since women were primarily thought of as the weaker sex. If asked, many residents of Massachusetts would likely say men and women are equals. Women have the same rights as men, and most men see women as their equals in business, managing finances and other activities once solely the responsibility of men. So why, then, do men not ask for alimony during divorce proceedings in situations where the wife makes more money? According to the U.S. Census, there were only 12,000 male recipients of alimony, as compared to the 380,000 female recipients, in 2010. Given that nearly 40 percent of mothers who are married make an income greater than that of their husbands, one would think the number of men receiving alimony would be higher. When judges look at alimony in divorce proceedings, gender is not supposed to be a factor, so why do fewer men get alimony? Answered simply, they often just don’t ask for it. Many men see alimony as something for women. Some men reportedly see asking for alimony as a sign of weakness. When asking for alimony, even judges can have preconceived feelings about awarding spousal support for men. This is why men should be prepared to provide proof that alimony is needed to provide for their basic needs. In order for spousal support to discontinue being mostly for women, men will have to overcome gender biases and allow themselves an opportunity to receive support they may desperately need after a