Some people may not be completely familiar with the financial effects of divorce. In a divorce settlement, one party -- the one with fewer personal assets -- may be granted spousal support from the financially secure spouse. While that concept may be simple enough,...
A Brighter Future Is Within Your Reach
Year: 2012
Divorce mediation may protect children in Massachusetts
The well-being of a child is the primary concern of most parents. In the event of divorce, issues regarding child custody, child support and visitation rights should always be made in the best interests of the child. However, there could be some instances that parents...
Teen mom fights rapist’s request for visitation rights
A Massachusetts court will soon hear a family law case that has the nation watching. An admitted rapist is trying to gain legal visitation rights to the child he fathered through the statutory rape of a teenage girl. The man was 20 years old when the offense took...
Settlement disputed after former Dodgers owner’s divorce
Worcester residents, much like everyone else in the United States, undoubtedly get their fair share of celebrity gossip. But when it comes to divorce settlements, news of the rich and famous can offer some good talking points with regard to the division of marital...
Mitt Romney’s comments to same-sex spouses seen as insensitive
New reports have detailed an uncomfortable meeting between Mitt Romney and several same-sex spouses in Massachusetts. According to the reports, Romney met with several plaintiffs in 2004 who were involved with the landmark case, Goodridge vs. Dept of...
What to do about insurance policies after a divorce?
A massage therapist from Boston recently experienced the complexities of property division while going through her divorce. She quickly learned that martial property included insurance plans, not just artwork and bank accounts. At first, her ex-husband allowed for a...
How do trusts work in a Massachusetts divorce?
Let's talk about trusts. What role might they play in a Massachusetts divorce? And is a trust considered marital property to be divided among the divorcing spouses? Well, the answer depends. If your parents set up a trust for you and you are planning to marry, then...
Massachusetts child custody dispute results in abduction
Divorce is rarely an easy process to go through, but it can be even more difficult when the couple share children. Some Massachusetts parents can't imagine being separated from their children and each may want full physical custody. At other times, one parent may use...
Pastor oversteps in civil union child custody dispute, jury rules
As the first state to approve of same-sex marriages, one would think Massachusetts might be immune to contentious same-sex issues; however that may not be the case. Some other states do not recognize our same-sex marriages and thus struggle with what to do when a...
Massachusetts alimony reform: a fairness model for others?
In many ways, Massachusetts leads the way and other states follow. This doesn't mean however that our trailblazing is always appreciated. Same-sex marriage is illegal in some states for example, and legal in others. Our healthcare system was one of the models for the...