Family Law

Protecting Your Legal Rights When Cohabitating With Your Significant Other

Recent studies show that “shotgun weddings” are becoming less popular as cultural norms become more progressive. Rather than marrying due to a pregnancy, couples are moving in together, not marrying, and raising the child as a family. However, when a couple lives together out of wedlock, they are not afforded the same rights and benefits…

How to Calculate Your Child Support

Under Massachusetts law, parents who are divorced or separated must continue to support their children. In Massachusetts, a parent’s child support obligation is calculated based upon the Child Support Guidelines. The Child Support Guidelines are a set of rules that dictate how to calculate a parent’s child support obligation, and what income must be included…

Antenuptial Agreements: Setting the Tone for Compromise and Communication in the Marriage

A pre-nuptial agreement is a great test for a marriage and the couple’s ability to compromise on what will likely be recurring themes in the relationship. Relationships, like a prenuptial agreement, are full of compromise and negotiation. Two people entering into a marriage need to know how to have the difficult conversations and find fair…

PreNups: Myths v. Truths

There are several myths regarding Pre-Nuptial Agreements that prevent many couples from broaching the topic. Keep reading to find if a Pre-Nup is right for you! MYTH #1: ONLY PROTECT WEALTHIER SPOUSE False. Pre-Nuptial Agreements must be fair for both parties. If the Agreement is found to be unconscionable by the Judge, it will not…

Streamlining the Child Support Modification Process in Massachusetts

In May 2013, the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court expanded Standing Order 3-11, which streamlines the child support modification process in Massachusetts. Through this Standing Order, parents can now complete more user-friendly forms to file for a child support modification with the Probate and Family Court, and also obtain a faster court date to obtain…

Massachusetts Woman Sues State To Prevent Rapist From Pursuing Visitation Rights With Child

By Jonathan Wolfe, Wed, August 21, 2013 In July, we told you about the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act, or RSCCA. The RSCCA is a bill working its way through the House of Representatives that would forbid convicted rapists of seeking custody rights to a child conceived during their rape. Thirty-one states currently have no…