When people think of estate planning, they tend to think of middle-age or older people, who are more settled in life, and most likely have some assets to preserve, and children to care for. Although that may be the “typical” estate planning client, once a person attains the age of majority (i.e. age 18), he/she…
Boston Family Law
Sound Reasons Why You Should Mediate Your Divorce.
I have been a divorce attorney for over 25 years and a divorce mediator for almost as long. When a potential client asks me whether they should mediate their divorce or whether they should just get their own attorney and file for a contested divorce, I tell them the following. A contested divorce can last…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Why You Should Review Your Estate Plan When You File for Divorce
When going through a divorce, a spouse has enough legal problems to address that he/she may not want to also consider reviewing and updating his/her estate plan as well. However, because of the divorce, it is all the more important to review your estate plan at this time. Why? Because it is not uncommon for…
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