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This is the first in a series of newsletter articles and web site blogs in which I will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on my legal practice and the legal system in Massachusetts. In this article I’d like to describe my law practice during this unprecedented time. In subsequent articles I’ll focus on how the […]

An uncontested divorce means that there is no dispute and the parties agree to all terms of the divorce including child custody, support, alimony, division of marital assets and debt and so forth.  This can be done by a joint petition for divorce with related paperwork including a divorce agreement( called a ” separation agreement”

In past the only way to get a divorce was to find that your spouse was at fault such as adultery, abuse and so forth.  Now MA( and most states) allow no fault divorce simply because one spouse does not want to be married.  This avoids showing that your spouse was at fault and makes […]

In part, a mandated reported who in his or her professional capacity has “reasonable cause” to believe that a child is suffering physical or emotional injury that results from either (1) abuse inflicted upon the child which causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare( includes sexual abuse); (2)neglect( includes […]

Talking to social workers, court investigators and GAL’s is stressful.  They are looking at you like you are on stage and looking to see if you are a loving, stable and thoughtful parent. A few hints are:  keep focus on children not your or significant other or ex if you need to make focus on […]

There is relatively new law regarding children in foster care or residential treatment.  There is a presumption that child should go to the same school( school of origin) and DCF has a meeting to make this determination.   Parents and children should have a voice as many times DCF will aim for having child go […]

If a prior court order no longer works for the parties or circumstances change the party may seek a modification. The party must file a complaint for modification to change a judgment. A further temporary order may change a prior temporary order. The most common changes are alimony or spousal support, custody and parenting time […]

The court will appoint an attorney to represent your minor child and the attorney will not be the same attorney who represents you. The attorney will meet his client and advocate for him or her at all court hearings. If the child is able to speak and convey his wishes, the attorney will follow the […]

The costs of insurance can be prohibitive and is a very important factor in may divorces both for the spouse and children. For the spouse and children most issues are similar: 1. The policy effect 2. What is the obligation of the coverage 3. The duration of that obligation 4. what happens if policy changes […]

Every case is unique but this is a common question. Many people are concerned with ‘abandonment”. This is typically not the issue with leaving the house(in a very few cases it might be) but moving out does impact you case. A negatives include that it sets a precedent and a divorce can take some time […]