Generally, you need to get permission to leave the state with your child if you are divorced and you either need to get permission from the other parent and/or a judge before you move away from Massachusetts.  If you are still married to the other parent and you are not divorced, have not filed a […]

My understanding is and this is not official is that a lot of the DCF offices and the screeners for the 51A’s are still accepting the screen calls.  I believe a lot of them are using google voice or something similar and working remotely. My understanding is that the Area Directors are in the DCF […]

The courts have been dramatically impacted regarding hearing, trials and other matters. They are beginning to use telephone hearings in certain circumstances and some just common-sense protocols regarding the best way to prepare for a telephone hearing.  If you do have a landline that is better than a cell phone.  It has less issues in […]

It is a very scary time. The health risks are the biggest concern but the concerns about economy are very troubling as well. There is little in the way of safety net for most people. People are worried about jobs, bills, debt and much more. You might have more money going out every month than […]

An Evidentiary Hearing is a hearing where the judge decides about one part of the case.  This can include deciding which parent would be awarded custody of the children. A trial is considered the final hearing except for an appeal where the judge decides all remaining issues and can grant the final divorce. The trial […]

There have been significant studies that show the children that are removed or that the parents are unwilling to parent are much more stable and less traumatized if they are placed with a relative than with families that are not related to them and these studies have been recognized both by the courts and by […]

Even if you are not approved as a foster care provider and if you are nominated in Juvenile Court you can get a 3rd party custody through a 72-hour hearing or temporary custody hearing.  You can file for guardianship in Juvenile Court, custody or an adoption through the Juvenile Court or for a grandparent visitation.  […]

Kinship Care can mean a lot of things and it can mean a different thing in Juvenile Court or with DCF, in Probate and Family Court and informally.  Informally meaning not through the courts. It can mean being an informal caregiver and it can also mean doing something that is called a “Caregiver’s Affidavit” which […]

This is not official, but it appears that at least the Taunton DCF office is closed on Mach 16th and March 17th and the DCF offices in the state maybe closed or very limited because of the coronavirus.

Probate and Family Court Standing Order 1-20 District Court – [https://www.mass.gov/doc/district-court-standing-order-1-20-court-operations-under-the-exigent-circumstances-created-by/download] Please look at the links for the most up to date information. This is not official. It is still can change but it appears in District Court that Jury Trials that have not begun that are between March 13th and April 17th shall be […]