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Massachusetts Updates Restraining Order Law to Include “Coercive Control.”

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On July 28, 2025
Massachusetts courts now recognize “coercive control” as a form of domestic violence under the updated restraining order law. This new legal provision covers a broad range of behaviors intended to dominate or isolate a family or household member. Examples include: Isolating the victim from friends, family, or other sources of support Depriving them of basic […]
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In Massachusetts, if there is an Issue in Custody but there is a Concern about the Other Parent Drinking or using Drugs. Is there anything that I can do?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On March 31, 2025
The answer is yes. You can have DCF involved. You can also ask the court to either have the parenting time of visitation supervised by that parent. You can also ask the court for a Motion by the court to order random drug screens, you could ask the court to order random alcohol testing, or […]
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Does it Matter Who Files First in a Divorce Case?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On March 24, 2025
While technically the court doesn’t favor one spouse over the other based on who files for divorce first, the person who initiates the process can gain some advantages by setting the narrative, controlling the initial timeline, and potentially influencing the direction of negotiations by presenting their case first; however, the final outcome of the divorce […]
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In Cavanagh, regarding Child Support and Alimony.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On March 3, 2025
There is also a significant factor in terms of income sources for the parties that now would include gifts or inheritances received which were sometimes arguable before it. So, with the new Cavanagh analysis, there is a lot more that is being looked at in terms of determining how child support, alimony co-exist and the […]
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In Massachusetts, there has been a Significant Case Law Under Cavanagh.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On February 24, 2025
This impacts many families in a different way in terms of how they determine or calculate alimony and child support, with a determination that judges are supposed to determine the fairness of each approach in a fashion or order that is most fair for the families. This usually involves calculating the alimony first and then […]
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New Child Support Guidelines in Massachusetts in 2025.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On February 17, 2025
Every few years there are changes in child support. There is one where there will be a task force that is in charge of reviewing the guidelines, recommending changes and in the future continue to be addressed. There are some significant changes with the child support guidelines when they are changed every couple of years, […]
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Massachusetts Expands the Definition of Abuse in Restraining Orders.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On February 10, 2025
Massachusetts law now recognizes the unfortunate reality that abuse goes beyond just physical. It can be economic or psychological, too. With the recent 2024 amendment to the law on abuse prevention orders (aka restraining orders), Massachusetts became the seventh state in the United States to add “coercive control” to the definition of abuse, and coercive […]
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In Massachusetts, what is a Pathway Case Management for Probate and Family Court?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On December 16, 2024
The Pathway Case Management consists of Zoom hearings with the Judicial Case Manager.  The idea behind these is to try and help resolve cases quicker and more efficiently, particularly, for self-represented litigants.  Originally, it started for my practice more in Plymouth County, I believe it also was in Barnstable. Now it is in Bristol County […]
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