If you are confident that you want to get a divorce, have you considered where your spouse stands on the issue? In some cases, people know that their spouse also wants a divorce -- even if no one has given voice to the idea yet. They reasonably anticipate their...
Do children have a right to decide where to live after a divorce?
In Massachusetts, it’s important that your child’s custody and visitation orders are set up in their best interests. Your child may have an opinion about what they want, but do you have to listen? That’s something to consider closely as you and your ex-spouse create a...
Managing your mental health during a divorce
Your mental health will undoubtedly change throughout your life in line with certain events and challenges. Everyone goes through times in which they are happier, where they have a pessimistic view on life, or have a more anxious disposition. While this is usually...
Should you date during your divorce?
Divorce can take time -- but your relationship may have long unraveled prior to filing your petition, and now you are looking at months or even a year before the marriage is over. Needless to say, you may want to date during this time, even though you’re legally...
Could one of these mistakes cost you custody of your children after divorce?
Generally speaking, family courts prefer to divide custody of the children as fairly as possible between divorcing parents -- but things can happen that cause the court to revisit their decision even long after the divorce is over. There are some big parenting...
Key details that you shouldn’t leave out of your parenting plan
One of the first steps that parents must take when divorcing is to broker a custodial agreement that details how you plan to handle co-parenting and other matters related to your child's upbringing. The courts refer to this agreement as a parenting plan. There are...
As parents, divorce is the start of a new relationship
As a parent, divorce is not the end of your relationship with your spouse. It is the start of a new one. When you divorce, you cease to be spouses who live and parent together and become co-parents. Thinking of and referring to each other as "my co-parent" rather than...
Can you keep your spouse’s affair partner away from your kids?
Adultery can have an explosive effect on your family. When you discover an extramarital affair, whether through hidden credit card receipts or a confession, you may immediately realize that your marriage is now over. If you choose to divorce after finding out about...
Why do so many divorced parents use parenting apps to text?
Smartphones have made instant, on-demand communication the standard. You and your ex have probably maintained constant communication throughout your relationship. Now that you’re divorced, you may not be talking as much. However, when you share children, you will have...
Spouse won’t sign the divorce papers? That won’t stop you from moving forward
When you file for divorce, your spouse is given paperwork to sign and submit. You may be worried that they won’t do it. Perhaps they’ve even told you that they’re not going to sign because they don’t want to get divorced. Don’t be concerned. While things are often...