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...
Military divorce in Massachusetts
Divorces that involve at least one member on active duty in the United States military can be significantly different from a divorce in which neither spouse is one active duty. Moreover, Massachusetts laws create several special issues for couples in which one or both...
Removing a guardian in Massachusetts
Many people in Massachusetts regard a guardianship as permanent until the child reaches the age of 18, the age at which the guardianship automatically terminates. However, even though most guardianships provide significant benefits for both the parents and the ward,...
Don’t face Massachusetts military divorce issues alone
These days, divorce is a common enough event, but that doesn't mean that people aren't going to have questions about it. On the contrary, many people do not have much experience with divorce law. There is also a lot of incorrect and misleading information floating...
Guardianships and adoptions — what’s the difference?
Many residents of Massachusetts have considered the possibility of becoming a guardian for a minor child or adopting a minor child. Each set of potential parents has its own expectations and wishes about how this addition to their family will affect them. One of the...
The effect of evidence of abuse on child custody
Most Massachusetts couples who have decided to obtain a divorce wonder how the court will resolve the complex question of physical custody. The court will consider a variety of factors, such as the relative incomes of the parents, the relationship between the parents...
Planning for a special needs child in a divorce settlement
Divorce, even a simple one, can be one of life's most taxing experiences. If a child is involved, the experience can become even more stressful. And if the child has special needs, the experience may seem to tax the emotional resources of both parents beyond their...
Options for enforcing parenting time in Massachusetts
In many child custody and visitation matters in Massachusetts, one parent will have the care and control of the child most of the time. The other parent, however, will generally be given court-ordered visitation. In other words, the other parent's legal visitation...
Guardianship and government benefits
Many children, particularly special needs children, are eligible for a variety of government benefits at both the state and federal levels. For several reasons, these young residents of Massachusetts may need to have another adult, aside from their parents, take...
Massachusetts parents can be ordered to pay college expenses
Even when a Springfield, Massachusetts resident turns 18, they will likely still need a lot of assistance from their parents. After all, financial security rarely comes automatically to a person the minute they walk out of their parents' front door, particularly if...
