Custody Articles

Written by an experienced Divorce and Family Law Attorney with offices in Boston | Andover | Newburyport | Newton

Parent Education Class & COVID-19

A divorce can be emotionally challenging. For partners who entered a marriage with excitement for their future together, coming to terms with a new reality, separate from the other spouse, can be difficult. When the spouses have children together, however, the...

Court Jurisdiction Over a Child Custody Case

As a general matter, in order for a court to issue a judgment or order, the court must have the legal authority to do so, known as jurisdiction. There are two types of jurisdiction a court must have. First, a court must have jurisdiction over the people involved in...

Nondisparagement Order and Free Speech

A recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court case discusses an important issue at the intersection of family law and the First Amendment — a nondisparagement order. In custody cases, can a court issue an order that compels the parents not to disparage each...

Co-Parenting Tips During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Being a parent is not easy, especially now, during the Coronavirus pandemic. You may find it difficult to home-school kids while working from home or to explain world events to your kids in an age-appropriate way. It may be hard to soothe anxieties—your own and those...

Considering Past Abuse in Custody Modifications

Massachusetts child custody cases are decided based on the “best interests of the child” standard. This standard takes many different factors into consideration. Under Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 208, section 31A, in a proceeding granting temporary or...