For many Massachusetts residents who have come through divorce, the money received by way of alimony payments is vital to one’s ability to move forward in their new lives as single people. In many cases, the partner who receives alimony set aside their own education or career advancement in order to support the family unit. When such a marriage ends in divorce, the courts often recognize those sacrifices through an award of alimony. However, spouses who rely on receipt of those payments to make ends meet should be aware that there are choices that can put them at risk of losing their alimony. For example, in many divorce agreements there is a stipulation that alimony will cease of the receiving party remarries or begins to cohabitate with another partner. While this may seem like a clearly defined boundary, in reality the issue of cohabitation can come under serious legal scrutiny. As a new relationship progresses, overnight visits are often the norm. In fact, in the early stages of a new love, many people seek to spend as much time together as possible. For divorced parents who retain custody of their children, spending time with a new partner is often easier in the evening hours, after the children have gone to bed and the house is quiet. However, it is important to consider how one’s lifestyle could come into play if their former spouse chooses to try to stop paying alimony. One tool that is frequently used in alimony cases involves

Now that the holidays are behind us, many people look forward to the coming year with thoughts on goals, hopes and resolutions. For some Massachusetts spouses, years of living within an unhappy marriage will lead to a decision to file for divorce in 2013. Luckily, there are a number of reasons why January is an ideal time to file for divorce, and to address each spouse’s financial needs. One positive factor for filing in the early days of a new year involves tax advantages. While there have been few benefits of a January filing in years past, a change in tax brackets in 2013 could change things for some couples who divorce in the coming year. For example, a spouse who will be required to pay alimony will see better deductions by filing early, and the spouse who receives alimony will have a higher tax burden. Another consideration involves waiting to make a decision about divorce until after the holidays. Christmas can be stressful, and adding discussions about ending the marriage can only serve to add to that stress level. For couples with children, the news of a split may be better received at a less hectic time. There are also the reactions of extended family members to consider. For many couples, the holidays are not an optimal time to begin the divorce process. Perhaps the reason most January filers choose this time of year is simply the new start that a new year brings. While divorce is unarguably the