Child Custody

A parent’s disability doesn’t automatically give grounds to deny custody. Massachusetts courts take various factors and circumstances into account before arriving at a decision. Even so, as a parent with a disability, you still might face challenges in the court.  How...

Parents negotiating shared custody arrangements often seek as much time as possible with their children. However, once the family starts acclimating to the new schedule, one parent may not be as consistent as they should be. They may cancel their parenting time with...

Divorce is rarely a simple process, but when children are involved, that process is even more complicated. Parents are often trying to process their own emotions while also worrying about how every decision will affect their kids. In the middle of change, children...

Every aspect of a child's life changes when their parents go through a divorce. They're faced with dealing with situations that they wouldn't have had to deal with otherwise. The reality of living between two homes is one of those.  For some children, the day when...

When parents separate or divorce, there are few documents as important as the parenting plan. A well-crafted plan can reduce conflict, provide structure and ensure the child’s needs are prioritized. Whether you’re creating a plan voluntarily or via court order, it’s...

You have been seeking a new job. Not only would a higher income benefit you, but you believe it would also be helpful for your children. You and your spouse are divorced, and you want to increase your income so that you can also increase your child’s standard of...

Traditional co-parenting involves communication and cooperation. Parents work together to act in the best interest of their children. They communicate regularly about social, medical and educational matters. They provide support for one another when unexpected...

During custody proceedings, the focus is usually on what is best for the children. Judges typically try to give both parents an opportunity to spend time with the children and make decisions about their upbringing. For most families, two actively involved parents is...

There are two main forms of custody that parents must divide between themselves or ask the courts to split when they separate. Physical custody is often the focus during custody negotiations. Parents want to spend as much time with their children as they can. Legal...

If you want to change a custody or parenting-time order in Massachusetts, the law requires more than just being unhappy with the current plan. The court will only make changes if two conditions are met. First, there must be a material and substantial change in...