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In Massachusetts When DCF Knocks on your Door, do not make these 6 mistakes.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 29, 2018
Failing to take the investigation seriously. Even if the allegation is false and the worker is inexperienced, be careful of your contact with DCF, your behavior with DCF and your answer to questions if you decide to be interviewed. It is important to be as calm and polite as possible, not showing a lot of […]
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What’s For Dinner? – Child Custody Disputes

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 28, 2018
Even with intact families, there are often conflicts over what seem to be minor issues like “what’s for dinner?” However, in divorce and high conflict custody cases parenting styles may come into major disagreement arising from differences in religion, medication, sports, etc. Often parents cannot compromise and request that a judge get involved in what […]
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In Massachusetts with DCF Cases, if there is an Allegation of Drug Use, is it in my Best Interest to take a Drug Test or not?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 25, 2018
This can be a complicated question depending on the allegations and what would likely be found.  Sometimes I have had cases that have been unsupported even when someone comes back with a positive for things such as marijuana. When the allegations are more serious drug use there is a question about whether you want to […]
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In Massachusetts, DCF Cases When There is an Ulterior Motive of the Person who Reports the Abuse, is that Factored in or Keep the Case from being Investigated?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 18, 2018
Typically, it does not keep the case from being investigated.  Although, DCF is aware that there can be ulterior motives, such as a breakup with a significant other or dispute between neighbors and that have things to do with other than the welfare of the child.  It is important to be able to advocate this […]
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Is DCF Obligated to Investigate every report?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 15, 2018
The Answer is, it depends.  It depends on your part of the definition.  DCF can screen-out 51A Investigation; although that is not that common, but some examples for that might be that it doesn’t need the legal threshold such as; it is an allegation where there is no allegation against the caretaker or guardian. There […]
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In Massachusetts if DCF takes Emergency Custody of a Child, can someone other than the Parent request Custody at a 72-hour Hearing?

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 11, 2018
This in large part depends on the practice of the Court.  There is something called “Third-Party Custody” where one of the parties including child’s counsel can make the request for a Third-Party Custody hearing.  Some Judges allow this as part of a 72-hour hearing, other Judges ask for after the parents 72-hour hearing is completed. […]
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The 2018 Massachusetts Criminal Justice Bill and some Key Provisions.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 8, 2018
One a key provision of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act is raising the minimum age a child can be held criminally responsible; which used to be 7 and is now 12 and tried in Juvenile Court.   Bail Reform is where attorneys, judges and people within the court system would see that many indigent […]
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Frequently Asked Questions in Massachusetts for Child Custody Cases.

  • Posted by Alexander Nesson
  • On October 3, 2018
What is a list of some of the Factors that the Court Look at in terms of Custody?           Again, the Courts look at what is in the best interest of the child. Some of the factors include: each parents financial and physical ability; to provide the children with both essentials and beyond such as […]
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