by Melina Munoz Turco | Nov 15, 2024 | Appeals
Who keeps the engagement ring if a couple calls off the wedding? Does it matter who’s at fault? For sixty-five years, Massachusetts courts have ruled that the person who gave the ring can reclaim it. This applies if they were not at fault for the engagement’s... by Melina Munoz Turco | Oct 31, 2024 | Alimony, Appeals, Divorce
In the Massachusetts Appeals Court case, S.S. v. S.S., Turco Legal partner Maureen Booth successfully argued that the Probate and Family Court erred in deviating from the presumptive durational limits on alimony during a divorce proceeding. A deviation was deemed... by Melina Munoz Turco | Apr 30, 2024 | Alimony, Appeals, Divorce, Equitable Distribution
A new Massachusetts Appeals Court case, Michael A. Trethewey v. Rosalia F. Trethewey, highlights the risk of “double dipping” in divorce matters involving marital asset division and alimony (or other support) orders. In Trethewey, the probate and family judge treated... by Melina Munoz Turco | Mar 28, 2024 | Alimony, Appeals, Divorce
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) recently decided Openshaw v. Openshaw, a case that changes how we think about alimony specifically in regard to the need for support to accumulate savings. The issue in Openshaw was whether a probate and... by Melina Munoz Turco | Jan 31, 2024 | Appeals, Divorce, Equitable Distribution
The valuation date for marital property can be a significant issue in a divorce because asset value is rarely static. Oftentimes, property appreciates after the separation or divorce process has commenced and before the divorce is final. When there are larger assets,...