As previous posts have discussed, there are many situations in which a Springfield, Massachusetts, resident may need to step in and be able to take care of a young relative or other child in their lives. These people will need to have legal authority in order to do...
Guardianship for grandparents is an option in abuse cases
While grandparents in Springfield, Massachusetts probably hope that their children will go on to be successful mothers and fathers who love and care for their own children properly, the reality is that sometimes children just do not learn the lessons of parenting that...
The tax consequences of alimony
When couples in Springfield, Massachusetts either divorce or get a legal separation, one topic that might be an issue is alimony, that is, an ongoing payment from one member of the couple to the other as a form of ongoing financial assistance that, in theory, the...
What is a guardian ad litem?
Since this Springfield, Massachusetts, blog has discussed guardianships and how they can help families protect their beloved children in difficult circumstances, we felt like it was important to make a distinction between a guardian ad litem and a straight-up...
What counts as “income” for child support purposes?
A previous post on this blog talked about how, in Massachusetts, each parent's income plays an important role, perhaps the most important role, in a judge's decision about how much child support the parent who is not going to live in the home with the child will pay....
The responsibilities of a Massachusetts guardian
This blog has on several previous occasions how a guardianship can give a Springfield, Massachusetts grandparent, relative or other responsible adult the authority to rear and raise a child when that child's parents are unwilling or unable to do so. Along with these...
A temporary guardianship solution may be best for child
Not everyone has an ideal family unit and living situation. Sometimes family strife or other issues can cause a child's home life to be less than ideal. If a child is living in a poor or toxic home environment with their parent or other legal guardian, it may be time...
Who gets the engagement ring in a divorce?
An engagement ring is often the first physical symbol that a Massachusetts couple may share to demonstrate their intention to commit themselves together in marriage. Rings come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes bought from a store and sometimes shared in families as...
When does child support end in Massachusetts?
It is important for readers of this Springfield family law blog to understand that child support determinations are made based on the specific needs of children. As such, the factual situations of a reader's case will play a huge role in the outcome of their support...
Federal law protects right of same sex couples to divorce
It has not been long in this country's history that same sex marriages have been recognized. For generations the legal union between two men or two women was prohibited by law. Couples in Massachusetts and through the rest of the nation who were unable to marry missed...
