Divorce and Family Law Blog
Written by an experienced Divorce and Family Law Attorney with offices in Boston | Andover | Newburyport | Newton
Merger Versus Survival of Separation Agreements
Experienced family lawyers guide spouses in emotionally fraught divorce proceedings toward a resolution that terminates the marriage. A separation agreement is a crucial part of that process. A separation agreement memorializes the terms of the resolution and also...
Durational Limits on Alimony: New Case Law
As we explained previously, the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act of 2011 prescribed durational limits for alimony payments. These limits cap alimony based on the length of the parties’ marriage. They impose the limits when the marriage ends—but what exactly does that...
Impact of Part-Time Job on Support
In what ways might a part-time job or second job affect alimony or child support payments? Change in circumstances: Under Massachusetts divorce law, a spousal support award is not set in stone. Rather, one may alter it by a petition for modification to the court...
Parental Kidnapping
Approximately 800,000 children annually are reported missing, according to U.S. Department of Justice statistics. That's a staggering 2,000 minors daily on average. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ("NCMEC") claims that family members account for...
What constitutes marital property in Massachusetts?
Marital property is distributed in Massachusetts divorce cases under the “equitable distribution” standard. Unlike some other states with “community property laws,” Massachusetts courts divide marital property in an equitable, or fair, manner. What is Marital...
Alimony and Gross Income Calculations
What are "gross income" tax implications of alimony payments? Alimony is court-ordered support from one spouse to another under a divorce or separation agreement. The purpose of alimony is to allow a receiving spouse to enjoy the same or similar type of lifestyle that...
Protective Order Issued Ex Parte
The recent case of C.R.S. v. J.M.S. addressed the issue of an ex parte abuse protective order. In that case, the victim of domestic violence filed a complaint for a restraining order against her partner. Her story entailed many instances of controlling behavior, along...
Social Media Posts During Divorce
Most people have at least one social media account. There are so many forms of social media available on various platforms--Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Linkedin, among others. People facing a divorce often ask: does the use of social media have an impact on a...
Suitable Residence as a Custody Consideration
Kelly and Ken are divorced and share custody of their three minor children. Kelly maintains a modest but clean and safe home in a small town. Ken lives in a one-bedroom apartment. Ken’s building is pretty run-down. It is located in an area of a large city known for...
Rehabilitative Alimony
Family dynamics are complex. The members of a family unit must work hard to support their family system. In some family units, one spouse may work while the other stays home. Other families include two spouses who work. The diversity of the family unit applies to...