Bill > S1191

This bill modifies Massachusetts law to provide additional protections for domestic abuse survivors in alimony proceedings. Specifically, the legislation requires courts to consider documented evidence of abuse, as defined in Chapter 209A, when determining alimony awards. This evidence can include records from the statewide domestic violence record-keeping system and can encompass emotional distress resulting from abuse, whether the abuse was between the parties or perpetrated against a child. The bill explicitly prohibits an alimony judgment that would benefit a party who has been criminally convicted of abuse against the other party or their child. Additionally, the legislation allows a spouse who is paying alimony to petition the court to terminate an existing alimony judgment if they can provide a certified court docket showing a conviction for abuse after all appeal periods have expired. These provisions aim to ensure that domestic abuse is a significant factor in alimony determinations and prevent abusers from financially benefiting from their actions through alimony payments.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1191