It is case by case. However, in many times, if you are considering filing for bankruptcy, your credit may already be bad. Bankruptcy in general will not make things worse. However, it will show on your credit record for 10 years. However, since the bankruptcy wipes out your debt, you are much more likely to […]

There are some exceptions that will not normally be wiped out and that can include money in domestic relation cases, such as child support, alimony, separate support fines and some taxes. Importantly, debt that you do not list in your bankruptcy petition loans that you knowingly gave false information to a creditor for; if they […]

You can. A lot of people believe that they can’t own anything for a period of time after filing for the bankruptcy, but that is not accurate. The exempt property that is discussed in another blog and it can go over is something that you keep. You can keep pretty much anything after the bankruptcy […]

You cannot receive a discharge in a Chapter 7 case; if you received a discharge under Chapter 7 case filed in the last 8 years; or a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case filed in the last 6 years. You cannot receive a discharge in a Chapter 13 case, if you have received a discharge under a […]

Adoptions are a fairly complicated matter and people generally need to retain a lawyer to assist with the adoption process. Massachusetts is an “Agency State”, which means that a private adoption is not typically allowed. Either the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or another licensed agency needs to be involved and approve the adoption: […]

You can look under the Federal Judiciary that provides public access to the bankruptcy court documents for something that is called a “Public Access to Court Electronic Records” or “Pacer”, which you can go on line and it is an electronic public access service.

Bankruptcy is a federal law, the idea is to give an honest, but unfortunate debtor a fresh start. What can happen under a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, is a person either gets released from the dischargeable debts; or they are able to reduce their debts to a manageable level and maintain a payment plan for a […]

Massachusetts is one of the few states in the country that allows debtors to choose whether they want to file state or federal bankruptcy exemptions. That means that the person who files for bankruptcy can look at the set of exemptions and choose which ones protects their assets. A lot of them are not necessarily […]

There are different custody arrangements in Massachusetts for different situations and they are generally defined by the law. There can be “Sole Legal Custody”, which means that one parent has the right and responsibility to make major decisions regarding the child’s welfare; and that can include education, medical, emotional, religious issues. Then there is “Shared […]

There is a court fee to file for a divorce and to get a Summons. The amount may change, but at the moment the filing fee is a $200.00 fee, plus a $15.00 surcharge and there is a Summons that costs $5.00. In addition, you have to serve your spouse and this can cost at […]