Q: In MA, divorce laws changed to eliminate alimony payments after a time period. What else was affected by the law change?
I was married in 1980. We were separated in 1995 and divorced in 1998. The divorce decree called for alimony and child-support as well as health insurance and education expenses for our 3 children.
Some time after the divorce law changes my ex-husband stopped paying alimony and health insurance for me. Child support was paid for each child through college and he carried them on his insurance until age 26. I heard that the alimony piece could be revisited. Is that so? Also, did the health insurance payment go away as well?
A: Unless your separation agreement or divorce judgment as a result of trial specified a termination date for alimony and medical coverage and that no Modification proceeding was necessary, then there should have been a Modification Petition filed by ex-husband and an adjudication in favor of Modification and termination of alimony and medical coverage-otherwise he cannot automatically terminate alimony and medical coverage and you can file a Contempt proceeding against him for the arrears and medical costs. You should consider hiring counsel as the Court can order your reasonable counsel fees to be paid to you in a Contempt finding.
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