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If you are involved in a divorce, child support, custody, or modification case in Massachusetts, you will almost certainly be required to complete a Financial Statement for the Probate and Family Court. This form is a sworn statement signed under the pains and...
The fastest way to get divorced is for the two spouses to agree on all issues and avoid a contested divorce. The faster the spouses agree on the issues the faster they can get divorced and end the marriage. If an agreement is reached before filing for divorce the...
In Massachusetts, child support is not optional. It is a court-ordered legal obligation meant to ensure that children receive consistent financial support from both parents. When payments are missed, the consequences can escalate quickly—and often become far more...
Marriage changes many things in your life. One of the least romantic—but most important—changes happens quietly in the background: Your tax status changes immediately. Whether you marry in January or December, the IRS considers you married for the entire tax year....
Telling your children that you are getting divorced may be one of the hardest conversations you will ever have as a parent. Even when divorce is the right decision, parents often worry about how their children will react, what to say, what not to say, and how much...
One of the most frightening questions a parent can face during a separation or divorce is this: “Can my spouse legally stop me from seeing my children?” In Massachusetts, the short answer is usually no—but there are important exceptions and practical realities that...
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...
