In DCF cases with a 51A and 51B investigation there are some time periods that are needing to be looked at. For the 51A’s, if they are “Screened Out” it means that there is no further investigation and some of the time DCF decides that it is not warranted of DCF involvement if the allegations […]

A CRA can be dismissed if the goals of the CRA have been met; 390 days from the date of when the case resolves. When a child turns a certain age (if truant or school offender CRA) it will be 16 years old and it will be 18 years old for the other CRA’s; or […]

The parent or guardian has the right to attend all court hearings. They have a right to be represented by an attorney at any court hearing. If the Judge considers ordering custody to someone other than the parent where the court can appoint one for the parent or guardian, if the parent or guardian cannot […]

For DCF to get emergency temporary custody of a child, DCF needs to go to Juvenile Court with an Affidavit; which is a statement under oath usually by a DCF worker and the supervisor telling the Judge why DCF believes that it is necessary to remove the child(ren) from the custody of his/her parent or […]

If the parents are never married, who has physical and legal custody? In Massachusetts if the parents are not married the mother has sole physical and legal custody. This means that the father would need to go to court to get a court order to have joint or his own sole physical or own sole […]

Massachusetts does not set a specific age in which a child can be left home alone. In Massachusetts, it is decided on a case by case basis. The Mass. General Laws Ch. 119, Section 39: an abandonment of a child under the age of 10 is 110 CMR 2.00; which defines neglect. Part of this […]

In custody cases in Massachusetts – what is the difference between physical custody and legal custody and visitation or parenting plan. Physical custody means who your child or children will be living with. Legal custody means who will be making the important decisions about your child’s life which can include educational, medical or religious. Not […]

The Trial Court has issued new child support guidelines in Massachusetts and the new guidelines will go into effect September 15, 2017. Some significant changes, including increasing the minimum support order to $25.00 per week, removing parenting time and child support calculations that were on the prior guidelines. The new guidelines will also include a […]