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…
child support
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: 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…
Establishing Paternity in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the custody of a child born to unwed parents is presumed to be solely with the mother of the child, unless and until paternity of the child is established, and there is a court order regarding custody. It is important for both a mother and father to have paternity established, because without establishing…
Deciding To Become A Stay At Home Mom? Consider This Cautionary Tale
There’s a story I’ve heard countless times over the years, from both clients and colleagues. The details vary from one couple to another, but in general, the plot goes something like this: Out of school, Amy and John each landed plum jobs in their fields. They worked hard and made excellent salaries, affording them the…
The Important Difference Between a Merging and Surviving Separation Agreement
It is not uncommon for a spouse to want to modify certain provisions of his or her Separation Agreement after a divorce. As time goes on, circumstances will most certainly change for the former spouses. However, not all Separation Agreements are modifiable. Before a spouse files a modification action, it is important to ascertain whether…
Important Documents a Spouse Should Bring to a Consultation with a Divorce or Family Law Attorney
If you are thinking it has come the time to file for divorce, or any other important family law matter, there are certain types of documents a spouse or parent should always bring with him or her when meeting with a lawyer for the first time. Being prepared with these documents can assist an attorney…
What a Divorce or Family Law Attorney Can Do That a Spouse or Parent Can’t Do on Their Own
When a spouse is going through a divorce, or a parent is going through a custody or child support battle, it can be a stressful time in that person’s life. Navigating through the family court process can be confusing under the best of circumstances. If the case is very contentious, then this only makes the…
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