Custody Articles

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

2017 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines

The 2017 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines have just come out and, whether you are an attorney handling these cases or a party paying or receiving child support, it’s worth diving deep on this particular issue. Start here with our first deep dive into the new guidelines.

Affidavits of Care and Custody in Massachusetts

What is an affidavit of care and custody, and when does a party need to file one? Filing: The short answer to the latter part of that question: a party needs to file this document whenever there is a proceeding involving the care or custody of a child. In addition to...

Changing a Child’s Last Name

Typically, a child born into a valid marriage receives the husband’s last name. In Massachusetts, the husband is presumed to be the father. There is, however, no law in place that requires the parents to give their child the father’s last name. Massachusetts...

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...

Keeping Children from Third Parties

Leila and Liam divorced. They share physical custody of their two children. Liam has a new girlfriend who has moved in with him. Leila disapproves of their living arrangements, which she claims are against her moral beliefs. She wants to know whether she can prevent...

Custody and the Religion of the Parents

Alba and Andrew recently divorced after ten years of marriage. They ended their decade-long relationship. They have one child, Andy, and per the divorce decree, the share physical and legal custody. Alba is growing concerned. Andrew recently joined a religious order...