Federal Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act

In a divorce action between spouses, special procedural rules apply if one or both spouses are military members. The Federal Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA) entitles active military personnel to a continuance in any action. This includes divorce or custody...

Acknowledgment of Paternity: How Does It Work?

Larry and Lakshmi are the parents of Tom, a child who was born out of wedlock. Larry wants to acknowledge that he is Tom’s father. What steps does Larry need to take to acknowledge paternity in Massachusetts? The most common method to establish parentage is voluntary...

Criminal Penalties for Abandonment

Criminal abandonment charges apply when someone intentionally or negligently refuses to care for an immediate family member. This includes a spouse, child, or parent. Several Massachusetts statutes address criminal abandonment and the legal consequences tied to this...

Start of Durational Alimony

The court will order alimony payments for a specific duration. This period defines how long the payments will continue. What is the starting point for durational alimony payments when awarded years after a divorce decree? Does the durational period begin to run at the...