Family courts nationwide, including here in Massachusetts, tend to favor co-parenting if it will be in the best interest of the child. Unfortunately, some divorces are contentious, and in many cases, bitter child custody battles ensue. The court will generally award...
A Brighter Future Is Within Your Reach
Year: 2016
The best interests of a child a primary focus of child custody
The best interests of children are the primary concerns of family courts nationwide, including in Massachusetts. However, it is not always clear how courts resolve these issues in child custody disputes. The specific facts are looked at in all cases, of course....
Same-sex divorce and cohabitation issues can be complicated
With society evolving at the pace it does, issues related to nontraditional families are becoming more prevalent. Many couples in Massachusetts choose not to get married, and legal issues may arise when such relationships end -- especially if there are children...
Negotiating a divorce agreement involves many difficult decisions
The decision to file for divorce in a Massachusetts family court is a difficult one to make, but that is only the first in a long list of important -- and often tricky -- decisions that will follow. This is especially true when there are children involved, because...
Nontraditional family law has a lot of catching up to do
Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision that bans on LGBT marriages are unconstitutional, legal disputes over multiple issues arise when these couples break up. Until all laws are updated to include nontraditional family law, same-sex divorces and the end of...
Will all your years together be considered in a same-sex divorce?
Although the green light was given for same-sex marriages in every state last year, it has been suggested that couples avoid rushing into these marriages purely because they can. The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry....
Child support: Negotiate to get extras included in settlement
Massachusetts couples who are considering divorce will likely be prepared for a significant change in their respective finances. For this reason, many people plan their post-divorce finances timely to serve their unique needs. Along with budgeting and working out ways...
Child custody: Litigation is traumatic for all concerned parties
Some divorcing couples in Massachusetts are able to reach amicable agreements on contentious issues. In many cases, this is achieved with the help of divorce mediators. However, the circumstances of families vary, and in some cases, the only option is litigation. This...
Parenting plans: Can Birdnesting be the answer?
For many Massachusetts couples who know that their marriages are over, the prospect of divorce is overwhelming. Parents sometimes stay together in toxic relationships because they cannot imagine putting their children through the trauma of divorce and the many changes...
Divorce mediation: Should the family home be sold or not?
Regardless of how amicable a divorce is, it is never easy. There are many important decisions to make at a time when emotions are likely in turmoil, some of them detrimental to post-divorce financial stability. Along with child custody issues, deciding what to do...