Section 53 of chapter 208 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
(a) In determining the appropriate form of alimony and in setting the amount and duration of support, a court shall consider all of the following circumstances:
(1) the duration of the marriage;
(2) the age and health of the parties;
(3) documented evidence of any history of abuse, as defined in chapter 209A, between the parties or perpetrated by either party against either party's child, including, but not limited to, consideration of emotional distress resulting from abuse perpetrated against the supported party by the supporting party, and consideration of any history of abuse against the supporting party by the supported party;
(4) income, employment and employability of both parties, including employability through reasonable diligence and additional training, if necessary;
(5) economic and non-economic contribution of both parties to the marriage;
(6) marital lifestyle and ability of each party to maintain the marital lifestyle;
(7) lost economic opportunity as a result of the marriage; and
(8) such other factors as the court considers relevant and material.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.