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…
Uncontested Divorce
Protecting Your Credit in a Divorce
It is not uncommon for married couples to have joint accounts, including joint credit cards. However, once married couples are involved in a divorce, they must decide how to apportion the credit card debt. At that time, each spouse should be looking to protect their credit as much as possible. In Massachusetts, each spouse’s credit…
FAQ’s About Massachusetts Divorce Law
With the national divorce rate close to 50%, many spouses have questions about divorce and the legal process of divorce. Divorce laws from state to state. Here is a summary of Massachusetts divorce law and frequently asked questions about this topic. Q: Is there a legal separation in Massachusetts? A: There is no formal “legal…
FINDING A GOOD DIVORCE LAWYER
Millions of men and women go through divorce proceedings every year and yet many give little thought to finding a lawyer that will best meet their needs. While a good lawyer will lead you through the divorce quagmire and hopefully get you the best possible results, the wrong lawyer can create more problems and add…
Collaborate or Mediate Your Divorce?
When considering friendlier alternatives to divorce litigation, you should understand the differences and similarities of the options available to you. Specifically, mediation and collaboration are two popular forms of alternative dispute resolution that might sound similar in theory but have different practical implications. You should choose according to a style that most caters to your…
Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act & Durational Limits
When the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act went into effect in 2012, it provided for a payor spouse to file a Complaint for Modification to reduce or terminate his or her alimony obligation based upon durational limits, as further explained below. Rather than allowing spouses to file all at once in 2012, modification for only durational…
Postnuptial Agreements
Dear Clients and Friends, Properly executed pre-nuptial agreements have been enforceable for sometime in the state of Massachusetts. These agreements are entered into between the couple before they are married to protect assets each party had at the time of marriage. Here are Amaral & Associates, P.C., we prepare pre-nuptial agreements on a regular basis…
Weighing Divorce Options
What is the role of stock options in negotiating a divorce settlement? Far from being an academic question, the answer can actually determine the ownership of hundreds of thousands of dollars generated by the sale of appreciated stock acquired through company stock options. By specifying in the divorce settlement exactly how stock options will be…
11 Essential Tips to Create a Brighter Future After Divorce
The key to life after divorce is to follow a post-divorce plan. With so many things affecting your life during and after your divorce, a plan can bring a lot of comfort and needed stability to your life and help you to move more positively into the future. There will inevitably be many things that…
Making the Most of Your First Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer
With the prospect of divorce comes a lot of unknown territory that is sure to make you uneasy. While you may think of meeting with a divorce lawyer as your “first step,” the preparation should actually begin before you walk into their office. There are many things you can do to make sure that this…
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