Ex has been in contempt of divorce decree for years.

Additional Information: My ex husband have been divorced for almost 6 years.  My daughter and I live in Wayland close to my parents and they have provided a lot of emotional and financial support as my ex has been in contempt of divorce decree for several years.  Now, I’m not sure if there’s anything I […]

Do I file contempt motion? My ex denied part of my visitation.

Additional Information: My ex-wife is denying me my second part of my summer visitation with the kids.  I live in Framingham, MA and a couple of days into my 14 day summer visitation she came to pick them up, did not return them and has not allowed me to speak with my kids.  What can […]

We’re getting divorced, how are assets divided?

Additional Information: When my husband and I were engaged, I finished business school and as a graduation present my parents gave me $50K to start my own company.  We got married, bought a home in Ashland, and started a family right away.  I never started my business and the money has been in a savings […]

What is the best way to handle the financial aspects of a divorce?

Additional Information: My husband moved out of our Southborough home almost 18 months ago.  We are on good terms with one another and have an agreed up on schedule for time with the kids. He currently pays for daycare for our youngest, but I think he should contribute more to kid-related expenses. ATTORNEY ANSWER: Your […]

Divorcing couples may have to share property they acquire after they split up

Most people assume that a divorcing couple’s assets will be divided according to what they own at the time they separate. But in some cases, things that happen after a couple split up can affect what they’re entitled to in a divorce. Only an attorney with expertise in divorce law can determine exactly what you […]

Social Security and Military Benefits can be divided at divorce

Federal government benefits – such as from Social Security or the military – have their own rules, and those rules usually trump state law. So sometimes it’s unclear whether a state divorce court can divide up a federal payment. However, in several recent cases, it was determined that federal payments could be split at divorce. […]

What are the most commonly used fault grounds for divorce in Mass?

The most common fault ground for divorce in Massachusetts is Cruel and Abusive Treatment. You need to show that something your spouse knowingly did or didn’t do caused you harm or upset. Acts of physical abuse are cruel and abusive treatment. Sometimes certain forms of mental cruelty may be enough. You have to show it […]

What is a “no fault” divorce in Massachusetts?

A “no fault” divorce in Massachusetts is a divorce in which the marriage is broken beyond repair but where neither spouse blames the other. In Massachusetts, the no fault divorce grounds is called “Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage.” There are two kinds of “irretrievable breakdown” divorces. They are often referred to as “1A’ and “1B”, referring […]

Child Custody order can not favor one parent’s religion

There’s no question that a child custody order in a divorce case can take the parents’ religion – and the children’s religious education and observance – into account. But a recent divorce case shows that a child custody order that goes too far in favor of one parent’s religion might not be okay. In this […]