Massachusetts Divorce and Family Law Blog
Divorce & Family Law Answers from Experienced Attorneys
Family Drug Court in Massachusetts
For many Massachusetts families, the issue of substance abuse hits home. Parents may struggle to care for their children while working on their own substance abuse issues. At a time when substance abuse has hit a high, Massachusetts families may need extra assistance...
Alimony in Cases of Upward Mobility
In a situation where the spouses are accustomed to an upper-class lifestyle, may one spouse receive alimony based on her expectation that the other spouse’s income will be on an upward trajectory? It's an interesting issue. There is admittedly some ambiguity in the...
Can You Appeal a Temporary Order During Divorce?
If your case requires an order sooner, file a motion for temporary orders. The judge can hear it early. Divorce trials usually take 12 to 15 months, but you can request temporary orders within the first few months. It is often necessary for cases involving custody,...
Valuing Partnerships and Professional Practices in a Divorce
How does one value a share in a partnership in a divorce? How are professional practices valued in a divorce? People facing a divorce are often concerned about their financial futures. One such financial concern regards the valuation of shares in a partnership during...
Prenuptial Agreement Requires Meaningful Choice
Generally, in order for an antenuptial agreement, commonly known as a prenuptial agreement, to be considered valid and enforceable in Massachusetts, the agreement must meet the following elements: in writing and signed by the parties; signed voluntarily and under no...
Massachusetts Long Arm Statute in Divorce and Custody Cases
Jack and Jen married in Massachusetts and lived together as husband and wife for four years. During this time they had one child, Jonah. Jen has left the marital home on her own. Jack wants to file for divorce, and he also wants custody of Jonah and wants Jen to pay...
Stages of Development and the Custody Order
How do the stages of child development impact the custody order? Whether a child is an infant, an eight-year-old, or a teenager, the court will establish custody orders with the “best interest of the [dependent] child” as the priority and focus. [1]This standard,...
Cars and Personal Items in Divorce
During the divorce process, most parties want to ensure that the end of the marriage won’t result in the end of their preferred lifestyle. How are cars treated during property division? How are other personal items of value, such as jewelry and antiques valued in a...
Co-Parents Paying for College Expenses
Planning for college expenses is hard enough, but it gets even more challenging for those who co-parent. Among other expenses related to the maintenance and welfare of a child during a divorce or child support proceeding, the court sometimes orders a party to pay...
Grandparents Seeking Custody or Visitation
Forget the sappy Hallmark ads depicting grandparental bliss. Forget the press about the important relationship forged between grandparents and grandchildren. When it comes to visitation, grandparents using the courts to assert their rights to see their grandkids face...