A divorce involving children may have to address both child custody and child support issues. Yet with the new health insurance rules, additional complications may arise. Specifically, a non-custodial parent may have a child support obligation that includes paying for health care premiums. The divorce decree may indicate that such support will end when the…
Can a family law firm help with estate planning?
Although readers may associate the area of family law with litigation issues like divorce or child custody, our Worcester County, Massachusetts law firm also pairs estate planning with family law services. We recommend that individuals in all stages of life prepare an estate plan. For example, parents should prepare for the possibility that there may…
Adoption isn’t always about the legalese but the emotions as well
There are a lot of people here in Massachusetts who are not as familiar with the area of family law as our Worcester readers are. That’s because they, unlike our readers, are not frequent visitors to our blog and are not exposed to all of the issues associated with family law. This generally means that…
Understanding guardianships in Massachusetts
Have you ever wondered what happens to a person’s estate, belongings and financial obligations in the event that they become incapacitated? If you’re like a lot of Americans, the thought has probably crossed your mind at least once in your life because of a personal experience or because of someone else’s story. But do you…
Can a spouse still request alimony after an annulment?
If you’re a frequent reader of our blog and read last week’s post that asked the question about the difference between a divorce and an annulment, then you know that annulments differ from divorces because it treats a marriage as if it never happened. Although an annulment does not affect child support obligations, it can…
Should you review your estate plan after getting a divorce?
As most people will tell you, going through a divorce gives you a lot of things to think about. How will we divide our assets? Who will get the family home? Will one of us have sole custody or will we share custody of the children? Should I ask for alimony? Questions like this are…
How communication styles can affect outcomes of family law issues
If you asked most people here in Massachusetts what that most important part of a relationship is, they would more than likely tell you that communication is key. But even though clear and open communication is often cited as the most integral part of a successful relationship, did you know it is just as important…
Can an inheritance affect child support obligation?
Here in Massachusetts, the courts take a lot of different things into consideration when it comes to determining a child support obligation and how much one parent will be required to pay the other. Everything from the child’s needs to the non-custodial parent’s income are taken into consideration before a decision is made. As our…
What Family Law Issues Usually Require Legal Guidance
Family law touches nearly every stage of life, from marriage and parenting to separation, support, and long-term planning. Because these matters involve both personal relationships and legal rights, even seemingly straightforward situations can quickly become complicated. In Massachusetts, having experienced legal counsel helps families protect their interests, follow proper procedures, and reach fair resolutions. While…
Surrogacy agreement could complicate talk show host’s divorce
When it comes to getting a heads up about the divorce process, some people find personal stories incredibly helpful. Whether these stories come courtesy of family and friends or from celebrities in the tabloids, though every case is different, sometimes hearing about someone else’s plight can affirm that you are not the only one who…