I previously wrote about the dangers of do-it-yourself divorce. This article is a little different in which I am writing about why people getting divorced should consider alternatives to DIY and the advantages to the alternatives. Certainly there are some people that...
Experienced Legal Service
for Dedham and the Greater Boston Area
Divorce
Dangers of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Divorce
Hiring a lawyer to handle your divorce can be a very expensive proposition. Many people choose to represent themselves instead of paying an attorney. This is commonly called “do-it-yourself” divorce or simply DIY divorce. While this may save money in the short run, it...
Revised Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines take effect on August 1, 2013
Massachusetts has revised the child support Guidelines with the new guidelines scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2013. The guidelines adjust the formula for child support and fills in some gaps. A summary of some of the changes follows: As a general matter, the...
Divorce and children’s religion in Massachusetts
When parents with different religions divorce the choice of religious upbringing of the children can be a major issue. A recent case from the Massachusetts Appeals Court makes agreement on this issue much more difficult. In the case of Lapat v. Lapat (decided on April...
Now that we are divorced, stay away from my Facebook friends!
Husbands and wives share many aspects of their lives. It is not unusual for them to share their Facebook friends and other social media contacts. The practice of looking at someone's friends or contacts and trying to convert them into your friends or contacts has...
What will the court do in a divorce when I prove that my spouse cheated?
Discovering that your spouse has been unfaithful can be an emotional disaster. To many people, this is a wrong that can never be corrected. It can destroy a marriage. People expect that infidelity will be punished by a Judge in a divorce and the innocent spouse will...
How to prepare for a divorce
Some people make the decision to divorce in an instant. Others find the decision to divorce is a long process that percolates over time. If you are a person who is thinking about divorce and moving towards ending your marriage, then the following actions can help you...
Is a divorce from a foreign country valid?
In almost all cases, a divorce in a foreign country is not recognized in Massachusetts and probably the same in all other states. Each state is a separate government. As a general rule, each government is free to ignore the legal rulings of other governments. This...
I’ve been served with a complaint for divorce (in Massachusetts), what should I do?
The first thing you should do when you are served with a divorce complaint is to read the documents carefully. There are at least two things you that will have an immediate effect on you and possibly two additional matters. The summons served upon you is official...
My spouse won’t sign papers for a divorce, can I get divorced without cooperation?
I am frequently asked questions about the ability to get a divorce if the spouse won't sign papers. You can file for a divorce without spousal cooperation. You file a contested divorce and serve your spouse with the summons and complaint. When the case is scheduled...