Divorces can be a lengthy, complicated and emotionally charged process. With all of the procedural nuances of a divorce proceeding and procedural rules of the court, even after several court appearances, it is entirely possible that a spouse will not have had the opportunity to testify and tell his or her side of the story.…
divorce
Divorce Mediation & Negotiation Rule One: Be Cordial
Rule One: Be Cordial (Provided by © National Legal Research Group, Inc.) There is an old saying that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. By the time the parties are divorcing, the parties are pretty much used to dealing with each other by yelling and screaming. The lawyer should not posture in…
Handling a Child Custody Case
There are not many other types of court cases that are more emotional and stressful than a child custody case. Because emotions are running high during these types of cases, parents can sometimes fall into pitfalls and traps, which can ultimately hurt their case down the road. Here are some tips for parents going through…
Child Support, Alimony & Taxes
When going through a divorce, there are many financial issues that spouses must address. Some of these financial issues have tax consequences, and other financial issues do not. One area where taxes come into play is support. Under Massachusetts Law, there are two categories of support. The first category is alimony, which is the periodic…
Divorce Mediation is Fast, Inexpensive and Thorough, so Why Litigate Your Divorce?
When your contested divorce commences and the Complaint for Divorce is filed, the court will forward a tracking order regarding the estimated length of the litigation process which is usually 14 months. When a couple decides to use a certified divorce mediator to get divorced, no complaint is filed and no tracking order is necessary.…
Co-Parenting and Visitation During the Holidays After a Divorce
Holidays can be an exciting time for families. They can include family gatherings, big meals, and other fun events. But they can also be a stressful time for parents and children when negotiating a visitation schedule or co-parenting plan resulting from a divorce. This can mean maintaining different schedules and children splitting their time between…
How Much Will My Divorce Cost?
Many times one of the first questions a potential client will ask our firm is “How much will my divorce cost?” Unfortunately, there is no straight answer for this question. There are many variable factors that can affect how much a divorce will cost, and there is no “standard” legal fees for a divorce. One…
Divorce Mediation: Preparing Your Case
Now that you have made the wise decision to mediate your divorce case, it’s time to do your homework. As you know, mediation provides a mechanism for disputing parties to reach an amicable and well thought out resolution to a divorce, without having to depend on the court to make decisions for you and your…
How Much Alimony Will I Get?
In any divorce, a common question divorce attorneys get is “Will I get alimony, and if so, how much?” In Massachusetts this is determined under the Alimony Reform Act of 2011, which is codified at Massachusetts General Laws c. 208 §§48-54. Under the Alimony Reform Act, there are 4 different categories/types of alimony: 1) General…
Divorce and Fear: How to Cope
As mediation day approaches, my anxiety rises. This, of course helps no one, least of all me. So, I work on that; daily, hourly. I breathe a lot. Not just your average in-and-out breathing. A lot of deep cleansing breaths, time outs where I lay on my bed, close my eyes, and wait for my…
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