New Maine law allows for future modification of spousal support award

The Legislature recently enacted a change to Maine’s
spousal support laws.  Under the older version of the law, a divorce judgment
could expressly read that a person’s spousal support obligation is not subject
to future modification.  19-A M.R.S. § 951-A(4). In other words, the Court had
the authority to bind the parties to a specific spousal support award,
notwithstanding any future circumstances that arise.  Beginning on October 1,
2013, however, the new law provides that spousal support orders are
“subject to future modification when it appears that justice
requires.” P.L. 2013 Ch. 327 § 1.  The practical implication is that a
divorce judgment issued on or after October 1, 2013 cannot prevent either party
from filing a motion to modify the amount of spousal support in the future.