Get the Court’s Go-Ahead Before You Go Custody of children can be one of the touchiest and most heated parts of a divorce settlement and of life after divorce. Any change to a visitation schedule, even a one-time change, is best made in writing if the situation between parents is acrimonious. Any permanent change, even […]
Do I have custody rights as a non-biological parent?
A non-biological, non-adoptive parent who has acted in a parental role may be considered a de facto parent. As defined by the Massachusetts courts, a de facto parent is “one who has no biological relation to the child but has participated in the child’s life as a member of the child’s family. The de facto […]
What You Need to Know About Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Divorce
As part of the divorce process, both parties are required to complete a financial disclosure. This ensures both parties have a complete picture regarding finances. The financial disclosure includes details about all assets and compensation, including and Restricted Stock Units (RSU) grants. Before understanding how RSUs are divided in a divorce, let’s review a few […]
Who Can Claim a Child as Dependent on Taxes After Divorce?
Divorce can be a trying life event, but add filing taxes into the mix, and most parents are running for the hills. Not to worry, by the end of this article, all of your divorce tax filing questions will be answered. Filing Status Let’s start with filing status. For couples going through the process of […]
Can my 14-year-old decide to live with my ex?
As a divorcing parent battling over custody, there is always the fear that your child will decide they would rather live with the other parent. Even once custody has been determined, parents worry as children get older, they will want to move in with the other parent. Rest assured that minor children can’t make legal […]
Get a Grip on Legal Jargon: Divorce Terms Explained
When facing divorce, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the legal jargon used throughout the process. Add this frustration to the mounting stress and heightened emotion, and you may be left making poor decisions. While our firm is here to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you have, this guide may help […]
Tracking Child Support Payments
Under Massachusetts law, both parents have a duty to support their child emotionally and financially. Typically, following a separation or divorce, one parent is considered the custodial parent and the other the non-custodial parent. The custodial parent is the parent with whom the child lives most of the time and who has primary care of […]
What does it mean to be “held in contempt” by the court?
The Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts has the authority to enforce temporary orders and judgments. A party (Plaintiff or Defendant) who violates or disobeys a court order risks being held in contempt by the court. This includes failing to pay alimony or child support or refusal to comply with a parenting schedule ordered by […]
What to do when your ex refuses to comply with your parenting schedule?
Once you’ve completed the process of going through a divorce, settling on child support, and agreeing to a parenting schedule, you’d think you can finally move forward and start your new life. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. When you’re facing the frustrating reality that your ex simply won’t comply with your legally binding agreements, […]
Understanding Child Support in Massachusetts
Divorce cases involving children often require a court decision regarding which parent should have physical and/or legal responsibility. Whether granted joint or sole custody, physical custody designates where the child will actually live. The parent who the child resides with most of the time is considered the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may be required […]