Limited Assistance Representation or commonly called LAR is where an attorney is retained for a limited task such as to review a divorce agreement, prepare a divorce agreement, prepare a pretrial memorandum or prepare a financial statement. It is not a process that is designed to replace the representation of a litigant to do the…
The remarriage of a parent can be a very traumatic event for a child depending upon the child’s age, maturity and his or her relationship with a parent who is remarrying. The wedding, even if the child is included in some way, is a major event. I have found that children under the ages of…
DIVISION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS One of the least favorite aspects of divorce for judges is the division of household goods. Amongst themselves, lawyers and judges refer to such division as the division “pots and pans”. As distasteful as this may be to the court, it still has to be done. Typically the courts do not…
JUDGE SHOPPING In Massachusetts, a judge is assigned to hear a case such as a divorce or separation, according to when the case is docketed. When a case is filed with the Probate and Family Court, a docket number is assigned to each case as the case is filed at the courthouse. The cases are…
THE ADVANTAGES OF A TRUTHFUL FINANCIAL STATEMENT The courts have a philosophy of open book discovery, which in short means that you need to fully disclose all of your finances and assets to the other side and to the court. It is interesting that during the courtship phase of marriage, in a traditional relationship, the…
WHAT YOU CAN REASONABLY EXPECT FROM YOUR ATTORNEY In order to become an attorney, an individual needs to graduate from college, complete law school, and pass a bar examination specific to the state where he or she hopes to practice. Additionally, most states require attorneys to pass an ethical examination. The process is arduous and…
A Child’s Burdens When Parents Divorce The decision to become divorced should be made by the parents with the needs of the children paramount when making such a decision. Once parents begin to move forward in the divorce process, it is important that they jointly determine how to best communicate with the children about the…
1. Who? Child Support is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent for the benefit of the children. Alimony is paid to a former spouse, typically of a long term marriage (ten years or more) where a disparity of income exists; 2. What? Child Support is not taxable to the recipient nor tax…
