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Landlords are urged to take mold seriously under Massachusetts law. Mold is considered a top environmental concern which can grow quickly.

As thoughts turn towards divorce, tempers can flare and people may behave in ways they normally would not be proud of, even in a relatively amicable situation. Of course, the bad behavior of a spouse—ranging from neglect of household duties to infidelity to abusive actions—may well have begun long before the divorce, and may well be the reason for it.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is not a 50/50 state. When a court is needed to rule on the allocation of assets, they are not necessarily divided equally between the two parties. While some states mandate a 50/50 split, Massachusetts is an equitable division state.

While marriage laws are based on where the parties are at the time of marriage, divorce is based on where the parties live at the time of divorce. The answer to this question depends on how long you’ve resided outside of Massachusetts.

When it comes to divorce in Massachusetts, everything related to finances must be fully disclosed. This includes every single asset, purchased together or otherwise, as well as all accumulated debts. Each spouse is instructed to report known findings through a financial affidavit.

In the event of a divorce, one parent may be ordered by the court to pay child support. Under Massachusetts law, both parents are required to support their children—and this is true regardless of marital status (whether the parents are married, divorced, separated, or were never married)

Divorce, while never easy, does not have to be an ordeal. For couples who wish to amicably end their marriages, there are a number of processes available that do not involve a combative mindset and are designed to minimize conflict in favor of compromise. One of the most common processes that aim for a more cooperative dissolution of a marriage is mediation.

Before Facebook launched to the public in 2006, most people had never heard the term “social media.” Only internet nerds and computer geeks knew much about it.

Even lengthy, contested divorces usually do not involve a deposition. However, there are exceptions to every rule and in the case of a deposition, this exception also applies. If things have become so contentious a trial is anticipated or, perhaps, there is a great deal of wealth at stake, a deposition will be used during the discovery process.

Massachusetts law determines child custody cases on the basis of the “best interest of the child.” The best interest of the child drives every decision the court makes, including the amount of time the child will spend with each parent (“parenting time”), as well as the amount of child support the non-custodial parent will pay the custodial parent.