There can be limitations set for the Guardianship; including, issues such as care for self where they can put in the guardianship that the person still retains the right to be responsible for bathing, dressing, dental care and things of that nature, and they still retain the right to choose and determine daily meals, communicate […]

Some of the durational limits set forth in the new Alimony Act is if its solely being filed because of the “durational limits”.  If your married for 5 years or less the Modification can be filed on or after March 1, 2013.  If you are married 10 years or less the Modification can be filed […]

For Children’s Education there is Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts which is in Lynn and the phone number is: 781-581-1977 or 1-888-KIDLAWS.   Disability Law Center, Boston, 617-723-8455 or 1-800-872-9992

There is the Brockton Family and Community Resources where there crisis hotline is 508-583-6498 and the toll free hotline is 888-583-2045.   Attleboro – New Hope the crisis hotline is: 1-800-323-HOPE or 4673.   Fall River – My Sister’s Place the crisis hotline is: 508-677-0224 and Stanley Street Women’s Shelter: 508-675-0087.   New Bedford – […]

You do not need to go to court to change your name.  You are allowed to change your name as long as it is not for an illegal or dishonest reason( know a scommon law change).  However, it is much easier to legally change your name which does require that you go to court.  You […]

You have a statutory right to inspect a large number of public records ( Chapter 66 sec 10a-MGL).  You may need to pay a fee but that must be reasonable to cover the cost of searching, redacting copying and so forth.  The custodian of the record has up to 10 days to refuse or comply […]

How fees are paid can be now done by either money order or by check.  If they are mailed, mail it to the Registry of Probate at 40 Broadway Street, Taunton, MA 02780.  You can also pay in person with check, money order, cash or a major credit card at the Taunton address or at […]

Again, if you are not certain you can put down that you are not certain and indicate how you arrived at that, but it is important to do a footnote or an asterisk.  If you are valuation a stock or a 401k, you want to indicate the date that you are using for that valuation […]

In Massachusetts paternity needs to be established in order to determine the child’s legal father if the parties are not married.  There are different ways that it can be done.   One is, simply signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity.  Father and mother state that the father is the child’s father; and it would appear on […]

Massachusetts has a new Child Support Guidelines it will take effect on August 1, 2013.  In general, it appears to decrease the amount of child support paid by the non-custodial parent to the parent and at 10% is a general rule of thumb.  There are a couple of key provisions: One is for the source […]