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Key Takeaways Parental alienation is not a separate custody standard in Connecticut. Courts decide custody and parenting disputes based on the child’s best interests under General Statutes § 46b-56. Courts focus on conduct, not labels. Accusing another parent of...
Key Takeaways Custody orders can be changed when circumstances materially change. Massachusetts courts may modify an existing custody judgment when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances and the modification is necessary for the child’s best...
Key Takeaways Maine law focuses on conduct, not labels. Maine's parental-rights statute does not create a separate legal test for “parental alienation.” Courts instead examine specific conduct and how it affects the child's best interests under 19-A M.R.S. § 1653....
Key Takeaways Substance abuse can significantly affect custody and parenting time. Massachusetts courts consider alcohol and drug abuse when determining what custody arrangement serves a child's best interests. A substance use disorder does not automatically make...
Key Takeaways The Child's Best Interests Guide Every Decision. Massachusetts courts focus on what best protects the child's health, safety, emotional well-being, and development. Judges tailor parenting orders to meet each child's specific needs. Supervised Visitation...
Key Takeaways Protecting a child with disabilities requires planning that extends far beyond determining custody or child support. Depending on the child's diagnosis, functional limitations, and long-term prognosis, parents may need to address ongoing medical care,...
Key Takeaways Living outside Massachusetts does not automatically prevent you from seeking custody here. The critical question is usually not where you live, but whether a Massachusetts court has legal authority to decide the custody dispute under the Uniform Child...
Key Takeaways Parental alienation can affect custody. Rhode Island courts consider each parent's willingness and ability to foster a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent when determining what serves the child's best interests. The...
Key Takeaways Grandparents do not have an automatic right to visitation. Although grandparents often play an important role in a child's life, New Hampshire law does not guarantee visitation simply because a grandparent requests it. Instead, the court must determine...
Key Takeaways Guardianship, custody, and adoption serve different legal purposes. Although all three involve caring for a child, they create very different legal relationships. Understanding those differences is essential before deciding which legal option is...