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A retainer is an advance payment made to a lawyer at the beginning of a case. It is not a flat fee for the entire legal matter (unless specifically stated in a written fee agreement). Instead, it is a deposit that the lawyer holds in a special trust account and uses...
Every year, family law attorneys notice the same pattern: the phone starts ringing more often as soon as the New Year begins. Consultations increase, website traffic rises, and many people quietly start taking the first steps toward ending their marriage. That...
Divorcing a narcissist is very different from divorcing an ordinary spouse. Narcissists do not compromise, do not accept blame, and often view the divorce as a contest they must “win.” That mind set can turn even a straightforward divorce into a prolonged, expensive,...
Married couples often own financial assets that automatically transfer to the other spouse when one of them dies. These commonly include: Life insurance policies naming the spouse as beneficiary Joint bank or investment accounts with a right of survivorship Retirement...
What Is Parental Alienation? Parental alienation occurs when one parent intentionally or unintentionally undermines or damages a child’s relationship with the other parent. It often happens during or after a divorce or custody dispute, when emotions are high and...
Massachusetts law gives people strong civil remedies to protect themselves from harassment and domestic abuse. The two main options are the Harassment Prevention Order under Chapter 258E and the Abuse Prevention Order under Chapter 209A. Both can restrict contact or...
Every marriage must end. Some end by death and some end by divorce. No matter which way a marriage ends, a person who is suddenly single can be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the new status. This list is intended to assist people in their new situation. Some...
As a divorce lawyer I frequently see parents who have difficulty communicating with each other. When parents have this problem they frequently resort to passing messages to each other using the children as messengers. Putting the children in the middle between the...
Many people believe that if they refuse to accept legal papers—such as a summons, complaint, or subpoena—then they cannot be sued or forced to appear in court. That is a dangerous misconception. In Massachusetts, and in most jurisdictions, refusing to take the papers...
When someone can no longer take care of their own money or property, families often wonder: Who will make sure the bills get paid and assets are protected? In Massachusetts, the legal answer may be a conservatorship. A conservatorship is a court process where a judge...
