Category: Family Law
Category: Family Law
Divorce and The Holidays
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
The holiday season can be difficult during a “normal” year but add in a pandemic and marital discord and the recipe is ripe for an extremely stressful and emotionally challenging holiday season. However, you do not need to “just get through” this holiday season and then figure things out. By taking charge of your life and making decisions as to how you want to move forward in your marriage, you can make the holiday season certainly less stressful and depressi[ ... ]
Is Massachusetts A 50/50 State When It Comes To The Division Of Assets In A Divorce?
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
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. Commonwealth laws dictate that the courts can decide on a fair division of assets regardless of who actually owned it. A court could declare that the division is 60/40, or 70/30, etc. Any assets[ ... ]
Missteps To Avoid In A High Net Worth Divorce
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
While divorce is prevalent across the country, each case is different. Real estate, business ownership, and significant financial interests can put you in high-asset divorce territory. Couples experiencing a high-asset divorce are prone to a number of common mistakes, all of which can be avoided. Like other marriages, high net worth couples don’t divorce without reason. From addictions to infidelity, extreme differences in parenting styles and growing a[ ... ]
What Factors Do Courts Consider When Determining Child Custody?
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
Courts primarily base their decision on what is in the child’s best interest, using the Child’s Best Interest Standard. Factors vary from state to state, but the overall goal is to make a decision that promotes the health and wellbeing of the child. Parents are encouraged to come to an agreement on matters of child custody and parenting time to submit to the court. However, if the judge finds the settlement agreement is not in the child’s be[ ... ]
Avoid Costly Mistakes: What You Need to Know About Property Division in a Massachusetts Divorce
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
Many people fail to realize divorce requires more than simply signing a few documents. If you’re divorcing in Massachusetts, don’t be blindsided by the many decisions you’re about to face regarding the division of your marital property. Not all property is valued or taxed in the same way; therefore, the process can be long and confusing without the help of a knowledgeable attorney at your side. It’s important to consider that even thou[ ... ]
Protecting Assets In A Divorce
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
Divorce is as much a financial blow as it is an emotional one. Alimony and child support may take a large, even unreasonable amount out of your monthly paycheck. Conversely, if your income is much smaller than your soon-to-be-ex-spouse’s, or if you stayed at home to look after the family, you might find yourself in dire financial straits if you are not awarded a just settlement. You deserve a divorce settlement that takes into account your circumstances[ ... ]
Do I Need To Follow Divorce Proceedings To Dissolve A Civil Union In Massachusetts?
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to declare that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. Marriage is more than just a declaration of love and commitment; it’s a legal status. Generally speaking, marriage is desirable because it provides several unique rights, protections, and obligations at both the state and federal levels for both spouses, including tax and property ownership benefits. While many states now recognize[ ... ]
Child Custody In The Face Of Infidelity
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
Massachusetts marriages end for a variety of reasons. From financial to work-related or even stress-related reasons, many marriages all over the country end in divorce. No matter the reason for the legal dissolution of a marriage, the ensuing divorce proceedings can range from amicable to hostile. A number of circumstances may add additional stress to the divorce process. Particularly, marriages that end due to infidelity. This situation can result in increas[ ... ]
What Is The Difference Between A Fault And No-Fault Divorce?
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the grounds for divorce depends on whether you decide on a no-fault or fault divorce. A no-fault divorce does not require parties to prove blame for the breakdown of the marriage. Either or both parties can file to begin the process for a no-fault divorce merely pleading that the marriage is beyond repair, and it is time to move on. The ground for this action is “irretrievable breakdown of marriage”. A[ ... ]
Am I Eligible To Adopt In The State Of Massachusetts As A Single Parent?
- June 4, 2020
- Family Law
To be eligible to be an adoptive parent in the state of Massachusetts, the law states you must be at least 18 years old, and you or the child must be a resident of Massachusetts. In most cases, any married couple or single adult is eligible to adopt. If married, both spouses must be a part of the adoption. In nearly every adoption case, judges in adoption courts will consider the child’s best interests when making adoption decisions. In Massachusetts, y[ ... ]
