Home »
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...
Key Takeaways Premarital property is not automatically protected. Many people assume that anything they owned before the marriage automatically remains theirs after a divorce. In New Hampshire, however, RSA 458:16-a gives the court authority to equitably divide...
College Contribution in Divorce in Massachusetts Key Takeaways Massachusetts Courts May Order Parents to Contribute to College Expenses. Under G.L. c. 208, § 28, the Probate and Family Court may require one or both parents to help pay a child's college expenses....
Key Takeaways New Hampshire Does Not Require Separation Before Divorce. Unlike some states, New Hampshire law does not require spouses to live separately before filing for divorce. The law does not require any specific separation period. Many couples file while they...
Key Takeaways Every Divorce Is Different – There is no single timeline for a Massachusetts divorce. Some uncontested divorces conclude in a matter of months, while highly contested cases may take a year or more. Uncontested Divorces Usually Move Faster – When spouses...
Key Takeaways Supervised Visitation Prioritizes Child Safety. In New Hampshire, supervised visitation allows a child to maintain a relationship with a parent. A responsible adult or professional is present during parenting time to help protect the child's safety and...
Key Takeaways Cross examination is usually about credibility. Most Massachusetts family law trials do not turn on dramatic admissions. More often, cross-examination focuses on credibility, consistency, bias, and whether a witness's testimony deserves trust. The...
Key Takeaways Parental alienation is about conduct, not labels. New Hampshire courts are generally less focused on whether a parent uses the phrase “parental alienation” and more focused on whether one parent’s conduct is harming the child’s relationship with the...
Key Takeaways Evidence Must Be Admissible. Evidence does not become admissible simply because it is important or relevant to your case. The evidence must satisfy the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence and any other applicable legal requirements before the judge may...
Key Takeaways Contempt Requires More Than a Violation of an Order. Not every failure to follow a court order results in contempt. In most cases, the court must find that the party knew about the order, had the ability to comply, and willfully chose not to do so....