Adapting to a new life without a person you shared many memories with can be incredibly challenging, emotional, and painful. Divorce is common, yet many people struggle to find healthy coping mechanisms to get through it. Below are some practical tips on turning the...
Courts in Massachusetts generally presume the happiness and welfare of children is best preserved when they maintain a relationship with both parents. However, that does not mean courts favor joint custody arrangements. In fact, Mass. Gen. Law ch. 208, §31...
If you live in the state of Massachusetts, it is reasonable to ask if your inheritance is at risk during a divorce. Massachusetts law provides the court with the power to divide all the assets in a fair and equitable manner. There are a couple of things to keep in...
In Massachusetts, all marital property and assets are split according to equitable distribution considerations. Equitable distribution means fair and reasonable, and that may not be equal. Marital debts are essentially treated the same way, which means that courts...
Retirement accounts are often some of the most difficult assets to divide in a Massachusetts divorce—particularly qualified retirement plans. Federal laws require special treatment of the assets. In many cases, it is necessary to set up a Qualified Domestic Relations...
The courthouse can be a stressful place, particularly when you are coming for a matter such as a hearing, which sounds formal and momentous. But a divorce hearing is a routine process that does not require much on your behalf. It is important to remember that a...
Divorce is never easy, especially for stay-at-home parents. While the job of a stay-at-home–protecting and caring for children–is an invaluable service, unfortunately, the job does not pay money. And a divorce is often quite costly. To assist, we offer a divorce guide...
Although the tax exemptions for dependents have been discontinued, the tax code still offers numerous tax benefits for those who can claim a child as a dependent on their tax return. So, when parents divorce, who gets to claim their child? Can they share the child for...
At first glance, alimony and child support seem quite distinct. Child support goes to support children, while alimony supports a former spouse. However, when you consider that the former spouse is the one accepting and using the child support payments, the differences...
After the feelings of elation that come with a Valentine's Day proposal subside, you will eventually come back down to earth. Then it is time to discuss a potentially uncomfortable topic—the prenuptial agreement. These agreements get a bad rap, but they are like...