They are not planning on wiping alimony out entirely but rather, changing to be more in line with the rest of the western world. It's meant to assist a spouse in regaining their independence and become financially stable. It would not discriminate against spouses who cannot support themselves either due to health reasons or age.
Right now, the law encourages a spouse to stay home and not provide for their family in addition to the higher earner regardless of their potential to bring in a salary.
In addition, the law in MA does not recognize relationships 'resembling a marriage' so that it encourages the spouse receiving alimony to not remarry but rather just 'live' with their current love interest.
I did not receive spousal support (alimony), despite the fact that I was an abused stay-at-home mom whose husband cheated on me. I wanted to earn my own way and contribute to my children's well-being myself. My ex does pay child support.
My new husband's ex-wife, however, does not feel the same way at all. She took advantage of MA's laws to the fullest. She at one time was a VP of two different companies and has a graduate degree. She was assessed by a career specialist and she has the earning potential of up to 170K in the current job market. However, after committing adultery she forced my husband out of his home he bought with his inheritance from his mother, kept the children even though he was the primary caregiver (for the child support), moved her lover into their home and collects a large amount of alimony. She refuses to go back to work even though both children are in school full-time.
Yes, it's time to reform the law in Massachusetts.
