In Massachusetts, divorce and Family Law cases are handled by the Probate and Family Court. Under Massachusetts, law, proceedings in the Probate and Family Court are public and can be observed by anyone. Additionally, almost all cases in the Probate and Family Court are scheduled to be heard at 8:30 a.m. (which can be as…
Divorce
Having Your Voice Heard in a Divorce
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 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…
Pet “Custody” and Divorce
In all families, pets are just as an important member of the family as anyone else. Unfortunately, the law has not caught up with this view. Therefore, when spouses divorce, “custody” of a pet is not treated on the same level, legally speaking, as custody of child. In child custody matters, the legal standard is…
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…
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…
General Term Alimony: What is It?
Q: What is General Term Alimony? A: There are 4 types of alimony under Massachusetts law. The four types are: General Term Alimony: the periodic payment of support to a recipient spouse who is economically dependent. Rehabilitative alimony: the periodic payment of support to a recipient spouse who is expected to become economically self-sufficient…
Rehabilitative, Transitional, and Reimbursement Alimony in Massachusetts
Q: What are Reimbursement Alimony, Rehabilitative Alimony, and Transitional Alimony? A: There are 4 types of alimony under Massachusetts law. The four types are: General Term Alimony Rehabilitative Alimony Reimbursement Alimony Transitional Alimony Rehabilitative Alimony Q: What is Rehabilitative Alimony? A: By the statute’s definition, Rehabilitative Alimony for a recipient spouse who is expected to…
FAQ About Alimony in Massachusetts
Q: Will I have to pay alimony to my spouse? / Q: Will I receive alimony from my spouse? A: The short answer is it depends. Based upon the Alimony Reform Act of 2011, there are many factors that have to be considered to determine if a spouse will have to pay alimony during or…
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