In response to a recent study, which essentially concluded that disabled parents are more likely to have their children taken away in custody disputes, H. 1379 seeks to improve access to the Probate and Family Court as well as providing safeguards for parents. Key language includes that there must be a nexus between the disability […]
Recent case on 209A restraining orders–E.C.O. v. Compton, SJC – 11259 The issue in this case was whether a parent may seek an extension of an abuse prevention order under G.L. c. 209A to prevent his daughter, who was sixteen years of age, from voluntarily engaging in a sexual relationship with an adult. The adult […]
A recent family law decision on material change of circumstances–Morales v. Morales, SJC 11104 The Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a divorced parent no longer needs to prove a substantial change in circumstances to modify a child support order. The SJC instead focused on the language of Massachusetts General Law chapter 208, §28, which provides […]
please check out my most recent publication in the BBA family law newsletter on my work with shelter legal services https://www.bostonbar.org/sections/family-law/family-law-newsletter/2012/11/08/family-law-newsletter-fall-2012-pro-bono-spotlight
This is a blog that I found written by Kelsey and Trask, P.C. that explains the nisi waiting period for a divorce in Massachusetts. I am posting it because it is written clearly and is easy to understand. https://kelseytrask.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-is-purpose-of-divorce-nisi-waiting.html
Former NFL football player, Terrell Owens, reached an agreement on July 19, 2012 to resolve his back child support. Prior to the agreement, he was facing a threat of contempt. He is paying some $5,000 a month in child support. In Massachusetts, the standard of contempt is defiance of a clear and unequivocal order and […]
Delighted to celebrate the SLS Fourth of July event, where we raised $16,000 for Shelter Legal Services. Their mission is to provide litigation services to homeless and low-income veterans. I want to thank my fellow board members and the staff for all their help in making the event such a success. Looking forward to doing […]
Commonwealth v. Washington W (2012) The Commonwealth appeals from orders of a judge In the Juvenile Court dismissing two youthful offender indictments charging the juvenile with statutory rape. The judge ordered the dismissal after finding that the juvenile had suffered presumptive and actual prejudice from the “Commonwealth’s willful and repeated failure to comply with discovery […]
Perspectives: Why Can’t I Just Be NORMAL?: I often talk about being proud to be different. I say that my difference is the very thing that makes me unique and the person who I am, and…
Here are some recent statistics from a seminar which I attended that paint a disturbing picture of the divorce process and should give any lawyer pause before filing their next divorce case: Children of Divorce are: twice as likely to drop out of school as those from intact homes three time as apt to have […]
