The amount of alimony a Court orders is determined based on a recipient’s need versus the payor’s ability to pay. There are many factors which affect need versus ability to pay. The Massachusetts legislature enacted “Alimony Reform” in 2011 which created durational limits on alimony and created a range for determining how much alimony ... 2011 Alimony Reform Act – Modification of current alimony obligations. Read part II to learn the standard for modifying a current alimony judgment. Section 48(7) of the 2011 Alimony Reform Act states that current alimony judgments may be modified.