Massachusetts family law matters are often extremely complicated and stressful matters for people. Divorce and child custody discussions tend to evoke strong emotions. A married couple is often unsure how to navigate these issues when problems arise and decisions need to be made. Sound legal advice and expert case handling make these situations easier to deal with and lead to outcomes that satisfy all involved. A professional Massachusetts family law attorney is the sure fire way to getting the right advice that you need.
A Massachusetts family law lawyer focuses on obtaining his or her clients a favorable outcome while reducing discomfort involved in the legal process. Divorce or other family law matters can be emotionally draining and when child custody or support is included, the conversation can become extremely taxing. Speaking with an expert Massachusetts family law attorney is simple, fast and easy – connect with one here today.
Massachusetts Divorce Help and Advice
Massachusetts is what is known as a “no-fault” divorce state. What this means is that you do not need to prove specific “grounds” to be divorced, like adultery, etc. All that is needed is to state that your marriage has been irretrievably broken and that it would not be in the best interests of the family to remain married. This saves people time, money, and heartache. Massachusetts does also allow for a person to file a divorce on specific grounds, but this is not common. The grounds Massachusetts allows for divorce, besides the “no-fault” grounds are: adultery, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, neglect, or physical/mental cruelty.
For a person to be divorced in Massachusetts, one of the spouses must be a resident of a Massachusetts county for six months. This can complicate things for some people who may have recently moved from another state or county, but speaking with an expert Massachusetts family law attorney about our options is a good place to start.
Anyone who has been through a divorce will tell you how difficult it was – this goes for people that went through even an uncontested divorce. Breaking the emotional bond that a couple worked so hard to develop can be heart wrenching. When division of property and other assets becomes the focus of the parties split as well, sadness often turns to anger. No one wants to be taken advantage of during such an unhappy situation.
Massachusetts family lawyers reduce the emotions involved in divorce discussions and help their clients get the property they are entitled to receive. Massachusetts divorce law is complex, so it is easy to overlook an aspect of the process. Retaining a family law attorney prevents this from happening. Whether the couple divorces by agreement without involving a judge or has to head to court to iron things out, having an attorney present, providing advice and guidance, helps facilitate settlement.
It is natural for discussions to become heated at some point during the divorce process, but getting upset will only hurt you in the end. Maintaining focus on what matters and fighting for what is most important, be it the marital home or a retirement plan, is easier to do with legal representation. Let the attorney handle these delicate situations while you look toward the future.
Massachusetts Child Custody Help
Children are a wonderful blessing and parents usually feel horrible about putting them through a divorce or other child custody disagreement if the parties were never married to begin with. One of the most difficult decisions that parents make is who will care for their children after they split up. From the perspective of a child, the best outcome often involves sharing time with parents equally and avoiding the court system. An experienced Massachusetts family lawyer can help parents negotiate Massachusetts child custody without involving a judge, speeding the way to a different, but happy, future.
Massachusetts courts base their decisions on the best interests of the child. This standard utilizes many different factors to make a determination as to what exactly is in the child’s best interests. The parent’s employment history, income, living arrangements, neighborhood, and many other factors all play into this “best interests of the child” standard. Because many of these things may change over time, a parent can request a modification of an existing child custody order if supporting circumstances arise. A Massachusetts child custody attorney will present the court with petition backed by supporting evidence. In this situation as in the initial custody decision, the goal is to do what is best for the children.
If parents cannot come to agreement regarding child custody, the case must go to court. Even though this is not the ideal situation, the outcome can still be favorable. Except in extreme situations, Massachusetts courts prefer shared parenting. Outcomes may include parents sharing physical custody so children stay with each an equal amount of time or one parent receiving primary physical custody while the other receives visitation.
Parents who are not awarded physical custody are still entitled to legal custody. This involves the right to make important decisions regarding the upbringing of their children. A parent with legal custody has a say in the education, healthcare, and religion of the children. Getting the right Massachusetts family law help and advice can assist a mother or father win the right to continue playing this important role.
Massachusetts Child Support Help
A difficult topic to discuss between two parents who have broken up or have decided to end their marriage. Massachusetts law dictates that both parents are responsible for supporting their children. Child support – financial payment made by one parent to another – is usually the responsibility of the noncustodial parent, the parent who is not the primary caregiver. The law assumes that the custodial parent spends the required amount during daily care.
Massachusetts provides a child support worksheet here for estimated calculations so parents can estimate their portions of child support. Though this worksheet features instructions, it can be complicated to complete. The fee schedule is based on the combined income of the parents, educational and healthcare expenses for the children, and may include additional payment for extracurricular activities.
To ensure that they account for all relevant expenses and neither adult is taken advantage of financially, a Massachusetts family law attorney should assist with child support calculations. Whether a judge hears the child support case or not, it is important to correctly calculate this financial support. The figure is based on how custody is arranged, so a family lawyer is in the perfect position to ensure that calculations are correct.
Massachusetts Father’s Rights Help
While on paper fathers have an equal right to child custody and child support, some courts still show preference for mothers. Studies show that fathers can care for children just as well as mothers do. Therefore, fathers should not be afraid to fight for their rights. Getting legal muscle behind their cases can help fathers win the custody and support they deserve.
Massachusetts father’s rights attorneys educate their male clients about possible custody arrangements and help them negotiate desired outcomes. Whether parents work out custody and child support on their own or involve the courts, a father’s rights advocate comes in handy. Fathers ensure that their custodial rights are enforced and avoid paying more child support than they can afford.
Even a father with a child custody or support arrangement already in place can benefit from a father’s rights lawyer. Newly discovered paternity or a significant change in financial situations alter the framework on which these arrangements are based. An attorney will request revision of the prior decision so fathers receive the rights to which they are entitled.
Get the Massachusetts Family Law Help You Deserve!
Speaking with an expert Massachusetts family law professional is easy and we can connect you to an expert for free. No family law situation is the same and your situation deserves the attention and respect that only a Massachusetts family law professional can provide you so your case can be presented to the judge and your rights can be enforced. Get started right away, fill out the form or give us a call – we are here to help!
Dcf has temporarily placed my children with my sister in law. My mother has court ordered visitation for my oldest daughter every other week. Should I tell my mother visitation is suspended for the time being or tell her to go to court for answers?