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Divorce

Setting expectations in the divorce process

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Unpleasant Surprises in Divorce

In life, we can categorize everything into “controllable” and “uncontrollable” aspects. We can control our actions, but not those of people around us. When seeking a divorce, it’s unrealistic to expect a difficult spouse to suddenly become cooperative during the proceedings.

While TV shows like Judge Judy might give the impression that lying spouses face immediate consequences in court, real-life legal processes can be time-consuming and costly. Here are a few things we can control:

Discovery

Uncovering marital assets is crucial, especially when spouses try to hide them. Skilled attorneys can analyze statements, reveal spending patterns, and determine true income figures.

At Reeves Lavallee, PC, one attorney settled a case involving hidden assets. The initial offer was $13,000. After months of discovery and uncovering assets, the final settlement reached over $260,000. Discovery is essential.

When responding to discovery requests, timely compliance is necessary. Adhering to Massachusetts Domestic Relations Procedure helps keep the process on track. The sooner you produce your discovery responses, the better.

Record Keeping

Document everything. Tracking updates and important dates in a concise journal helps save money and time. Detailed records enhance the attorney’s pretrial memo and effectively convey your narrative. For example, noting specific dates when Parent X was late to pick up the kids is more compelling than stating Parent X is “often late.”

Get It in Writing

Limit communications to texts and emails for accountability and to provide solid evidence for the judge. Verbal communication can be disputed, while written exchanges are harder to challenge. For instance, a text message confirming visitation schedules can serve as concrete evidence in court.

Financial Statement

Don’t underestimate the importance of your financial statement. Update it for each court appearance. The judge relies on this document to determine support awards and asset division. Fill it out accurately and ahead of your court date to avoid costly errors.

Conclusion

Divorce can be emotionally taxing, and every situation is unique. At Reeves Lavallee, PC, we understand the complexities and challenges you face. Our compassionate and experienced legal team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, confidential service you deserve. We will guide you through your specific circumstances, ensuring that your best interests are protected. Don’t navigate this difficult time alone; let our expertise work for you. Call us at (508) 425-6945 to set up a confidential consultation today, and take the first step towards a brighter future.

Worcester Court

Coronavirus and how it affects parenting time

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Everyone is hyper diligent about protecting their family and their children. So when it comes to the Coronavirus, what can a parent do?
For an intact family where both parents live in the same home, your job is to make sure you have “quality time” while still social distancing.

But what about parents that do not live together, whether it because of a divorce or they were never married and/or have never lived together?

The most asked question is, “should I permit my child to go with the other parent.”

As an attorney, I will not and cannot advise you to disobey a court order. The Probate & Family Court has specifically made an order that states that court-ordered parenting time is not “stayed.” This means you MUST follow the court orders.

Each parent needs to look out for their child. At this time, that means that each needs to learn how to compromise more and be more flexible given the situation.

Many single parents have vast differences of opinion on how to do things. The most important thing is communication.
The best solution in this situation is to meditate and settle issues rather than dig your heels in and make matters worse once the court reopens.

Some examples to consider when one parent is in health care. While they are doing their best to protect and care for the general population they are, in the process, exposing themselves to patients who have Coronavirus, or if a parent works at a manufacturing plant that their employment is not taking the precaution of social distancing, or a parent who has determined this is all ‘hype’ and goes out to game night or a birthday a party.

Sometimes the decision is easy. For example, if a child were to travel (by plane or train) for Spring break to see their other parent, I would hope that both parents could agree its not safe and to try and schedule a make-up time when the pandemic is over.

However, when parents are just a mile away, or even walking distance now what? Parents could consider larger blocks of time (perhaps a week) with their children rather than a back and forth every other day, assuming both parents are home and have been self-isolating.

Other alternatives are to offer Skype, Facetime, Zoom or other video conferencing programs to the isolated parent who is missing his/her parenting time. Do these frequently and for a longer duration than a quick check-in. This allows for some quality time with their children. Depending on your Internet speed and the time you have booked together, do projects together, such as crafts, baking, games, etc.

Remember that when the pandemic is over, the parent who has not been able to touch their child due to the distance should enjoy some quality make up in-person time.
The goal is for each parent to be creative, reasonable, and flexible and understand that their child is not their possession but a gift to both parents.

If you want to be a parent who says, “I am the custodial parent and I will not allow contact or parenting time,” then once the court opens, the court will hear your position and might not look favorably on your actions. It is a violation of the law. Plus, if you were close to a settlement before the pandemic chances are, all negotiations have been terminated as the other parent thought you were unreasonable. Your action today and your conduct today has consequences for you, the other parent, and the child that can last a lifetime.

If you are a client of mine and need to work out a schedule with the other parent, we are here to negotiate with their counsel or schedule a 3-way zoom meeting. If you are not a client, and each parent is willing to mediate an agreement, we can book a zoom meeting to mediate your issues.

Please reach out to us at Reeves Lavallee PC at 508-425-6945 to book an appointment.

COVID-19, Pandemic, Worcester Court

COVID-19 & PANDEMICS

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Hello friends,

First and foremost we hope you are well. Things have been uncertain and these changes to our daily lives are unprecedented. The MOST important thing is that you are healthy. Anything else can be fixed.

We want you to know we are open. We will stay open as long as possible to serve our clients and community. Legal problems cannot be quarantined.

However, we are also aware that we all must do our part to slow the spread of illness and protect our staff, our families, and our clients who are elderly or immune-compromised. With that in mind, we are changing the way we conduct business to allow us to still serve clients without missing a beat and keep everyone safe. We are able to meet with any current or potential new clients via telephone or video conferencing. Most court are actively accepting filing and we will get a hearing once the court reopen.  We can conduct discovery (including subpoenas), review contracts, offer advice and conduct real estate transactions.

If you have any questions about contracts, real estate conveyance or other real estate issues, or your family life and how any orders are impacted by Covid-19 please reach out. 


Please give us a call at 508-425-6945 to book an appointment or email all questions or concerns to our clients-only email address [email protected]. I believe demand for our services will increase sharply in the coming months, and we want to make sure our current clients are given the attention they need and deserve right now.

We are here to help you through this tough time and the unknown changes that lay ahead. We are thinking of you and wish you all the best.

Thank you!

Nicole Reeves Lavallee, Esq

Prenuptial Agreements

Prenuptial Agreements and Social Media Prenuptials

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In order for a Prenuptial Agreement to be valid there are factors that court must consider both at the time of the signing prior to marriage and also at the time of the pending divorce.

Prior to signing the agreement, the court will consider many factors, such as: the terms in the agreement; whether it was negotiated by counsel, or with the assistance of counsel; if the agreement is fair and reasonable and was entered into freely, knowingly and voluntarily; whether any and all of the assets and liabilities were included andif they allocated within the contract; and the date that the agreement was signed in relationship to your upcoming wedding.

At the time of the divorce the court will determine whether the terms of the agreement are fair and reasonable at the current time and what assets are included, or excluded, within the PrenuptialAgreement itself. The court has authority to void certain provisions but generally they will either hold the Prenuptial Agreement valid or invalid.

The benefit of any Prenuptial Agreement is to minimize the issues if and when a divorce is necessary. The agreement should include a determination as to the division, retention or distribution for the following: all assets that were owned prior to the marriage; all assets individually acquired after the marriage; all joint assets acquired after the marriage; all assets inherited after the marriage; and how one spouse can leave assets to their heirs rather than their spouse.

Currently the latest trend included in a Prenuptial is language about conduct, limitations and restrictions of social media as a way to prevent revenge porn. This can be a separate contract or within the Prenuptial Agreement. I would suggest a separate contract so that in the event of a breach you can choose the court most convenient and effective based on your particular facts.

A Social Media Prenuptial includes language about what the parties will do with photographs, videos and other such media, taken during the relationship and also what can be disclosed to others, on media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or other social media sites.

Social Media prenuptial deals with actions of a party after the relationship has ended. Once there is a breach the consequences are potentially forever. A post, a picture, a rant on the Internet, even if they are later delated, is still there. Treat anything you post online as public and forever, even if you believe you are in a protected private conversation. This revenge can cause problems with their employment, family, and friends.

Social Media Prenuptial can give you a sense of security during a marriage or relationship, but just realize these may be a false feeling. The consequences of a breach is financial sanctions for every breach. Depending on the damage amount in the contract a person may opt to still breach it and pay the consequence just to get their revenge.

In my opinion a binding Prenuptial and/or Social Media Prenuptial contract is still better then not having it as it at least makes the other party think before acting and hopefully the contract will prevail, especially if the punitive damages assigned are high enough.

Children, Custody, Holidays, Honesty

Think before you act.

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Mother and father arguing in front of Christmas tree, children sitting in the corner

As the holiday season approaches please realize that your children did not ask to have families that live separate and apart. It is important to follow the court order, if you and your ex cannot agree otherwise. Ignoring the terms of a court order can be detrimental for the entire family.

When one parent decides to unilaterally change the terms of a court order, the child is often put in the middle of the situation, which usually escalates to a battle. Often the children are aware they are supposed to be going with the other parent and are disappointed, and sometimes think, they are being stood-up (creating hostility).

Boy with teddy bear and parents fighting

The parent who does not receive his/her parenting time often has plans that either needs to be changed or cancelled altogether. If they decide to continue with the plans (without their children) than very often every family member comments about the non-complying ex and their evil behaviors. These comments are often heard by the children at future family functions. The children become sad or angry with their family and/or either parent.

Whether the court order was decided either by an agreement of the parties or by a judge, someone decided that the schedule was in the best interest of your children. To simply disrupt the schedule because you decided is not in the best interest of the children.

While we all understand that the holidays are meaningful and important and you want your children with you, it cannot always be that way growing up in separate homes. That is just something you have to accept as a parent and try to consider the other parent and most importantly your children.

Assuming a parent breaches the court order then the party who lost the parenting time may seek a complaint for contempt. In that contempt action the non-complying party may be responsible to 1) provide additional parenting time, 2) loose parenting time at the next scheduled holiday, 3) be responsible for other parent attorney’s fees and costs, 4) loose custody of the children, and/or 5) be sentenced to the house of corrections.

Child Support, Children

New Child Support Guidelines effective Sep 15, 2017

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As required the Child Support Task force has met, established a new child support worksheet and it will be effective September 15, 2017. Every three (3) years the task force meets to determine how the current guidelines are working and what needs to change. Therefore, every four (4) years they issue a new child support guidelines which the courts and attorney must use moving forward.

The calculation formula is similar to those in years past (not the 2013 guidelines) but of course with several tweaks. This is the longest worksheet that I have seen in the past fifteen (15) years. I am working diligently to understand the worksheet, read the guidelines and start drafting samples so I can better assist my client.

Since the guidelines become effective in just under seven (7) weeks now is the time to schedule an appointment to determine how the new child support guidelines will affect you and your children or your support orders.

Worcester Court

Child Support

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The legislature is required to review and revamp the MA child support guidelines every three years. This means that every four years or so the child support guidelines are updated. While there is a committee, consisting of some attorneys, I often find that the legislature is not creating a formula that is most beneficial to the low or even middle class income.

In years past the guidelines have changed as to whether they will include all sources of income or simply just apply a 40-hour work week. Years ago, there was an increase once children became teenagers, and only the parent that provided health insurance for the children were entitled to deduct it. That has all since changed and likely will never return. Based on the case Morales, you no longer are required to prove a substantial and material change in circumstances in order to request a child support modification.

A new child support guidelines should be effect on August 1, 2017, or so we are told. Generally, the attorneys are able to review the new guidelines 4-6 weeks prior to them becoming effective. Until they are released, then we can do is speculate as to what the new guidelines will look like and how they will impact our clients. I would suggest anyone interested in finding out how the new guidelines will affect them to contact my office to book an appointment so we can discuss how you are impacted and the best way to protect yourself in the event that the guidelines will change for your family, if and when a modification is filed.

Children

Children and having their voices heard

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The law is every changing and has been leaning toward giving children of divorced/separated parents more and more rights and more means to have their voices heard.

There are three ways in which your children voices may be heard by a court. They are all permitted in any litigation involving custody or parenting time. This would include cases for custody, paternity, divorces, modification, and in limited circumstances contempt.

  1. Guardian ad Litem, aka GAL. This is a person who has received specialized training and must be recertified every few years. They are often attorneys. However, there are medical professional (often psychologist or psychiatrists or nurses) that may also be GAL’s. The GAL will follow the order by the court as to any limitations, restrictions, broad scopes or number of hours spent on an investigation.

    Generally, the GAL is paid by one or both of the parties involved in the action. The average cost is around $5,000.00. The age of the children can range from a few years until 17. Most reports are going to include interviews with the parties, the child/ren, collaterals (family, neighbors, school personnel, doctors, etc.). The GAL will go to each parent’s house, see how each parent interacts with the child and possibly go to the child’s school. After the GAL completed his or her investigation then a GAL report is created and submitted to the court. The standard for the report is “best interest of the child/ren.” The parties are not permitted to have a copy of the report but can read it with their counsel or at the courthouse in the clerk’s office. Based on if the Judge ordered it or not the report may include recommendations and conclusions.

  2. Attorney Representing Child, a/k/a ARC. This is exactly what is sounds like, your child would get a free ARC counsel has taken a required course and are doing the representation on a pro bono basis.  ARC counsel will only be appointed for children of age 10 or more. ARC counsel does not care about what either parent’s position is other than to ask relevant questions to their client (the child). ARC will meet with their client to determine what their client’s wishes are. The standard for ARC counsel is report to the court their client (child’s) wishes. It is not a best interest standard. ARC counsel participates in all aspects of the pending court action and is permitted to submit exhibits, and witnesses if the matter goes to trial.
  3. Probation Investigation. This is a free service offered by the Court from the probation department (located at the court where you usually have to start your case). The only requirement for a probation investigator is that they work for the probation department. The age of the children can range from a few years until over 18.

    The court will determine what issues will be addressed and reported. The probation officer will talk with the child/ren. They may talk with the parents, or collaterals, but it is determined based on the issues and the court order. The probation officer will likely spend five hours or less. Unless specifically ordered to do so the probation officer will not leave the court and the interviews will be conducted at the court (in person for the parties and child/ren, and by telephone for anyone else). After the probation officer completed his or her investigation then a probation report is created and submitted to the court. The standard for the report is “best interest of the child/ren.” The parties are not permitted to have a copy of the report but can read it with their counsel or at the courthouse in the clerk’s office. Based on if the Judge ordered it or not the report may include recommendations and conclusions.

I would suggest that if you are interested in having your child’s voice heard that you speak with me further regarding which option would be best for your case.

Worcester Court

When is a good time to do estate planning?

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Holding patient hand in hospital, showing care and love

 

All the time. Anytime. Now. When you are pregnant or having a child it is a good time. When you are getting married it is a good time. When you are thinking about retirement it is a good time. When you have assets it is a good time. When you don’t think your assets are worth anything it is a good time.

Everyone should have three basic estate planning documents executed.

  1. Will
  2. Durable Power of Attorney
  3. Health Care Proxy.

No one wants to plan for their health to fail or their mind to deteriorate or even to die. However, everyone must consider that it is a possible reality and ultimately you will also die.

Will

Most people think “I have nothing so why should I waste my money.” The truth is everyone has something. It might not be assets, but children. When you first have children, no matter your age you should have a Will executed. The purpose of the Will, even without assets, is to ensure that you pick the guardian(s) who will care for your children when you are no longer here. If you have assets you want to ensure that your assets go to the people you want to leave them to. If you do not have a Will then your estate must be probated and anyone, even a stranger, can seek to be the person in charge of distribution of your assets.

Durable Power of Attorney

Once executed, a power of attorney comes into effect when you are mentally incapacitated. The person who you designate will make financial decisions on your behalf and pay your bills during the period of incapacity. If you later gain capacity, such as coming out of a coma, then the assigned power of attorney no longer has authority to act on your behalf until and if you become incapacitated again.

Without executing a power of attorney, and if you became incapacitated, then someone would have to go to court and obtain a conservatorship to pay your bills. The power of attorney allows the same privileges without the need, time and expense of having to go to court to get such permission. If bills do not get paid then you may lose everything you have worked so hard for, including your vehicle or house.

Health Care Proxy

Like the power of attorney, a health care proxy comes into effect when you are mentally incapacitated. The person who you designate will make medical decisions on your behalf during the period of incapacity. If you later gain capacity, such as coming out of a coma, then the assigned proxy no longer has authority to act on your behalf until and if you become incapacitated again.

Without executing a health care proxy, and if you became incapacitated, then someone may have to go to court and obtain a guardianship to make medical decisions. Most people assume that because they are married their spouse has this right, or their parents if not married. The proxy allows you to pick the person who can make the medical decisions. It does not have to be your spouse or your parents.

Just think, if you are a child of divorced parents who agree on nothing, and you are not married, will your mother or father make that decision? Assuming you have a good relationship with both parents, they are both in the hospital demanding to make that medical choice on your behalf, yet they disagree on the medical treatment. Without a health care proxy, the hospital will be unable to act (absent and emergency) until a court intervenes and determines who should make the medical decision. Court proceedings can be time-consuming and costly. The health care proxy avoids the needs for a court to intervene.

Once you have a health care proxy executed do not sign another one just because the hospital or doctor’s office gave you another one. If you do you are voiding out the previous one done by an attorney.  Instead simply tell the medical providers you already have one.

Once you have executed the documents it does not mean you never should think about them again. They should be reviewed and updated as needed. It is my suggestion that you review them at least every five (5) years.

Honesty

Honesty

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I cannot stress enough the need to be completely truthful with your attorney in all cases (except maybe criminal). They should not judge you but they need to know all the facts, good and bad, prior to going to court.

All too often clients want to be selective on which is facts are disclosed. At the end of the day it only makes your attorneys job even harder. If there are skeletons in your closet and your attorney knew what they were then they can come up with a game plans as to how to minimize the effects of those skeletons, or even eliminate them all together.

If on the other hand, you do not disclose those skeletons then often your ex knows, tells their attorney and now it is being used against you. Since you did not disclose it to your attorney the attorney if often scrambling as the judge inquires, tries to deflect the questions, or, worse yet, just looks at you unable to answer.

The most often types of skeletons that come up in family law pertain to the following:

  • DCF involvement (past or present)
  • Criminal history
  • Use of drugs (including marijuana)
  • Abuse of alcohol
  • Domestic violence on any partner (past or present)
  • Restraining orders sought or obtained (past and present)
  • Written agreement between the parties (whether a court order or not)
  • Emails or text messages between the parties
  • Custody and parenting schedule for other children not subject to this case

This is only a partial list. In any civil cases or housing court cases the list above may be applicable, in addition to housing code violations, section 8, leases (written or otherwise), agreed upon reimbursements.

Provide your attorney will all the knowledge they need to best advise you and to defend your actions. Realistically this should be done in the initial consultation, or once the issues arise after the attorney has been retained.

Mediation

Mediation

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Most people who are going through, or believe they will be going through, the legal process believe it must be adversarial. It does not. There is a simpler and cost effective way to resolve your dispute. Why not give mediation a try? You really have nothing to lose.

There are many attorneys who are opposed to mediation. I am not exactly sure why but I suspect it might have to do with the fact that attorneys are trained to be more adversarial rather than to negotiate. However, most cases that go through the legal system settle. Only a small portion of cases goes to trial, as it should be in the family, housing and civil cases.

In Probate and Family court most cases are required to do some form of settlement negotiations. In Housing court, you are required to go to mediation. In Small Claims court, everyone is encouraged to select mediation as a viable option before your case is heard by a decision maker (judge or clerk magistrate). In District court and Superior court (civil cases) you can request mediation to attempt to settle your case.

There are government funded programs where you can go to mediate your case. If you want to use these government funded programs you will need a referral from the court where you case is filed.

You can always contact a private attorney, like myself, who does private mediations as well. Generally, the cost of mediation is split evenly between the disputing parties. However, if the parties have made other arrangements then a mediation will not get involved in how payment is made, unless that is a dispute within the mediation itself.

I think that anyone who want to use mediation to resolve their dispute should verify the cost of the services in advance. Most attorneys will charge a fee for the mediation session, usually at a specified hourly rate. In addition, there is usually a flat rate fee to draft the documents needed upon settlement of the case to be filed with the court. I have noticed that most mediators charge more than their normal hourly rate for mediations. I do not subscribe to this and my regular hourly rate as an attorney is the same rate I charge for mediation services.

Depending on the complexity of the cases, the documents that needs to be produced for settlement/negotiation, and issues in dispute the mediation may take multiple days. Some mediations can be completed within an hour, while other take four to six hours. You can always obtain an attorney’s position on the settlement before submitting it to the court for approval.

The benefits of mediation:

  1. To not take up time in court for issues that can be resolved outside of court. You can mediate a case before anything is ever filed in court;
  2. To be able to represent your settlement/case in court within few minutes, rather than siting in court all day waiting for your case to be called (where a decision may not even be rendered);
  3. You split the cost of a qualified attorney, rather than each party paying your own attorney fees;
  4. You get an agreement that both parties can “live with” and are not decided by the judge;
  5. If a resolution is not reached, you may be closer to resolving issues, have some issues (if not all resolved) and you can understand the other parties position.

Why not contact our office today to settle a dispute?

Interstate-Travel

Jurisdiction

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In legal matters involving children, physical location of where child lives is very important when deciding jurisdiction. If one parent moves a child out of state, then the jurisdiction could change immediately, or after a statutory period of time depending on which state.  In Massachusetts, the duration is six (6) months or more—at which point Massachusetts no longer has jurisdiction over the parties.

Therefore, any modifications (changes that need to be made to an agreement) must be done in the child’s new home state. However, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can still enforce any court orders and a contempt filed in Massachusetts (assuming the other party remains in MA) can be addressed and heard by the court. If the custodial parent is served in hand with the contempt summons and he or she fails to show for the contempt hearing, then a capias (warrant for their arrest) will be issued. If both parties are present for the hearing, then the court will address the contempt and ultimately make a ruling. However, the contempt being filed by the non-custodial parent must pertain to the parenting time.  A contempt for non-payment of child support can also be filed in Massachusetts.

If the other state modifies the Massachusetts court order, then Massachusetts would only be able to address issues pertaining to support for the child.

The Massachusetts court have no jurisdiction to modify or change the orders after the child is gone more than six months. A modification would need to occur in the child’s home state, where they are currently residing.

Children, Custody, Interstate-Travel, Removal of Children from State

Removal of children out of state

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This is American and I can choose to live wherever I want to. I do not need the court to tell me where I can go and where I cannot. Refusal t allow me to move is violation of my Fifth and Fourteen amendments to the US Constitution. If I want to leave Massachusetts then I can, right?

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If you have children and the other parent wants to continue to live in Massachusetts and does not want you to take the children to another state permanently then the answer is not a simple one.

We are only minutes from the Connecticut border now so an extra five
minutes drive will not make any difference.

I have heard this statement so many times in my practice and the truth is that it does matter and it does matter a lot.

In most separation agreements (terms of the divorce), there is language that precludes one parent from permanently leaving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without a court order or obtaining other parents’ permission. Even without that language in the separation agreements, Massachusetts General Laws, c. 208, § 30, states that children “shall not . . . be removed out of this commonwealth without such consent . . . without the consent of both parents, unless the court upon cause shown otherwise orders.”

In other words, both parents must agree or the court must approve the parent to take the children out of the Commonwealth. The reasoning behind this, in part, was to prevent a parent from alienating the other parent or prohibiting the child-parent relationship/bond.

If the other parent does consent then it is best to get it in writing, and whenever possible, to make it a court ordered modification.

There are different standards required by the parent in order to prove that they should be permitted to move out of the Commonwealth with their children. The most well known is based on the “Real Advantage” test as established in Yannas v. Frondistou-Yannas, 395 Mass. 704, 1985. While Yannas is an old case it is still good law and is applied in full, or in part, in removal cases. The real advantage test is a two-prong test and both prongs must be met in order for the court to allow removal.

“If the custodial parent establishes a good, sincere reason for wanting to remove to another jurisdiction, none of the relevant factors becomes controlling in deciding the best interests of the child, but rather they must be considered collectively. Every person, parent and child, has an interest to be considered. The judicial safeguard of those interests lies in careful and clear fact-finding and not in imposing heightened burdens of proof or in inequitably identifying constitutional rights in favor of one person against another.” Yannas 712-713.
When considering moving out of the Commonwealth with your children it is best to consult wt. an attorney months in advance to better understand the law and what a move would legally entail.

The Yannas case pertains when one parent is the custodian. In situation where the parents share custody, then Mason v. Coleman is more applicable. 447 Mass. 177 (2006). “Shared physical custody contemplates that ‘a child shall have periods of residing with and being under the supervision of each parent . . . assur[ing] . . . frequent and continued contact with both parents’.” G. L. c. 208, s. 31. The court must determine what is the child bets interst given all relevant factors.

Restraining Orders

When a restraining order is needed?

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Restraining Order

Just because you are planning on divorcing your spouse do not plan on forcing them out of their house, or obtaining custody of the children, by obtaining a restraining order. Restraining orders (also known as an abuse prevention order or a “209A,” which is the statute that govern this law) were created for people who are in imminent fear of bodily harm from another individual.  It is in place to protect people and not to be used as a weapon.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 209A, the person seeking a restraining order must have a blood relationship, or was or is in a dating relationship with the party they are seeking protection from. They must draft a sworn statement stating specific facts as to what happened and as a result why they are seeking the order of protection. They then must present the sworn statement and any additional facts to the Court in order of the Court to determine if the abuse prevention order is warranted or not.

If the court finds enough evidence to support your request than the other party must be served with the restraining order and a date for them to appear in court will be issued. Certain people could ultimately lose their employment if a restraining order is issued.  Anyone who has a restraining order issued against them must immediately surrender any and all firearms and weapons to the police. Even if the restraining order is dismissed after a hearing the police can still retain those firearms and weapons and may ultimately revoke your license to carry or an FID (for pepper spray or hunting) cards.

Depending on what the restraining order states, anyone who has a restraining order issued against them must usually vacate their home and be precluded from seeing their children for a period of time.  The restraining order will have a date to return (usually 10 days) to the court allowing both parties to present their respective positions.

The goal of seeking and issuing a protective order should be when you are in imminent fear of the other party and not a tool to gain an advantage or ruin someone’s career.

Adultery

Adultery and how it relates to divorces

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Yes, it is true that adultery is illegal in Massachusetts. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Section 14 is it illegal for a married person to have sexual intercourse with someone other than their spouse. The penalty is up to three years in prison. The law continues to remain in effect. However, I have been told by Police Chiefs that they will never charge someone with the crime of adultery and in my lifetime, I have never seen it prosecuted.

There are many clients who want to file for divorce on the grounds of adultery. You can certainly do so but the court will not appreciate it and I would strongly discourage it. To file for divorce on the grounds (reason) of adultery you are required to list both your spouse and the person who he/she has engaged in the affair with. That person must also be listed as a Defendant and would also need to be served with the complaint for divorce.  At the end of the day, filing for divorce based on adultery will not likely get you anything more and it will certainly manage to antagonize the situation where your spouse will want to fight over everything simply because you are making his/her life public and brining this other person into the divorce.

The only reason that the court would care about adultery is if a spouse was wasting marital assets by giving the other person extravagant gifts, vacations, etc.

I understand that your pride is hurt and you may never be able to forgive the betrayal but adultery is all but irrelevant when it comes to its criminality and any implications in a divorce situation. Instead I recommend that the person who was cheated on become a strong resistant person and make the best decision for their future rather than focusing on the injustice.

If the police and the courts do not care about adultery, then the rest of people must learn how to best benefit from the circumstances.

Marijuana, New Laws

High Stakes: The Unexpected Fallout of Marijuana Legalization and Its Shockwaves in Homes and Workplaces

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Post-Legalization Discussions and Legal Challenges

The aftermath of a new law’s passage, such as the one legalizing marijuana, is always intriguing. One might expect a flurry of conversations discussing enforcement and potential legal issues. However, these pertinent topics were conspicuously absent during the bill’s voting phase. It’s a peculiar phenomena, almost like waking up to a house full of unwelcome guests the day after a party.

When the bill was first proposed, I was burdened with considerable worries about its enforceability and potential consequences. A prime example revolves around living arrangements, particularly multi-family buildings. When marijuana consumption becomes legal in your home’s privacy, it doesn’t mean the smoke produced respects boundaries. The smoke doesn’t confine itself to your apartment, and it could leak into neighboring spaces. Therefore, you might unintentionally expose other residents to your marijuana smoke. It’s akin to playing loud music in the middle of the night; while you might enjoy it, it can seriously disturb your neighbors, and in this case, the smoke could potentially impact their health and well-being negatively.

Deepening Impact on Families and Parental Rights

The law’s blanket legalization doesn’t automatically imply that parents have a free pass to consume marijuana without considering their children’s safety. Let’s imagine a situation where a parent is frequently under the influence around their young children. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) might step in, as they are mandated to ensure children’s safety. Depending on the home situation, they might even go as far as attempting to remove children from the household due to habitual marijuana consumption.

Emerging Challenges for Business Owners

Business owners find themselves navigating a sea of fresh challenges post-legalization. For instance, without a policy explicitly prohibiting marijuana consumption at the workplace, it’s no longer straightforward to discipline or terminate employees who indulge. It’s akin to trying to enforce a dress code that doesn’t exist; there simply are no grounds for action.

Law Enforcement Dilemmas

Law enforcement agencies face a new set of difficulties, too. At present, there’s no reliable test to gauge if an individual’s marijuana consumption has impacted their ability to drive safely, similar to breathalyzer tests for alcohol. Furthermore, the question of whether marijuana consumption could potentially serve as a defense in criminal cases remains unresolved.

The Critical Role of Voter Education

The complexities arising from this legislation emphasize the need for voters to educate themselves thoroughly on a bill before it transitions into law. Just as we wouldn’t purchase a car without considering all its features and potential issues, it’s crucial not to pass a law without understanding its implications fully. Sometimes, it’s best to let a bill fail, rework it, and resubmit it at a later stage, ensuring it has undergone necessary refinements.

Implications for Landlords and Their Swift Response

With the law now officially in effect, landlords find themselves on the clock to respond appropriately. They must decide whether to allow marijuana smoking or cultivation in their buildings. A similar situation would be if pets suddenly became universally legal in rented spaces; landlords would need to update their policies swiftly. They also need to incorporate relevant clauses in new or existing leases. Households with children, as well as business owners, must educate themselves about potential repercussions and establish clear and comprehensive policies on marijuana consumption to prevent potential disputes or legal complications.

Worcester Court

Worcester Judges

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As Judge Gregory Roach retires, I find myself contemplating his successful career in Worcester. Here are some of my reflections:

Though I’ve never held a judgeship, I can imagine that the job is incredibly challenging. Judges must dissect mountains of testimonies and discern the core facts of the case. As attorneys, we bear the responsibility of persuading the judge that our version of the story is accurate, hoping for a decision in our client’s favor.

Frustration arises when a judge lacks understanding of the law, or the requisite level of proof, or fails to recognize the shift in the burden of proof to the other party. In such situations, we, as attorneys, must step up to educate the court. Judge Roach consistently demonstrated his knowledge of the law, something I appreciated every time I appeared in his court.

In my eyes, an ideal judge possesses a deep understanding of the law, stays updated with all relevant case law, and aptly applies the law without any additional effort on my part. I should concentrate on facts and how they align with the law, thereby justifying why the court should rule in my client’s favor.

It benefits greatly when a judge actively listens to the facts, and when fitting, provides feedback on potential rulings based on the presented facts. This feedback is particularly beneficial in Family and Probate Court and Housing Court cases. Sometimes, a nudge from the judge is all it takes for parties to settle a matter.

Ultimately, a judge must stay neutral throughout proceedings. Favoritism should never influence their decisions. Relying on the case facts and law is crucial as each verdict impacts individuals and families significantly.

Uncategorized

Same Sex Adoption

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Chapter 210, Section 1, allows a “person of full age may petition the probate court in the county where he resides for leave to adopt as his child another person younger than himself, unless such other person is his or her wife or husband, or brother, sister, uncle or aunt, of the whole or half blood.”

When a same sex married couple have a child through vitro fertilization (IVF) with the assistance of a known, or unknown, sperm donor they are not require to notify the sperm donor parties of the adoption as the “plain language” in the statute does not require it.

“G. L. c. 210, § 4, requires notice of a petition for adoption to be given only to those persons from whom written consent to the adoption must be obtained. See G. L. c. 210, §§ 2, 4. No notice is required for persons not expressly included in G. L. c. 210, § 2.” Adoption of a Minor, 471 Mass. 373 (2015). Notice is required to be given to the “lawful parent.”  The Court finds that “lawful parentage, and its associated rights and responsibilities, is conferred by statute on the consenting spouse of a married couple whose child is conceived by one woman of the marriage, through the use of assisted reproductive technology consented to by both [parents].” Id.

There are circumstances where a “punitive father” may request to establish his paternity. Some of those circumstances would be where the child’s mother was married to someone else at the time of the child’s conception or within 300 days after termination of marriage, or the mother was married when the child was born.

Uncategorized

Adoption

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As is in all child custody cases, including adoption, the standard is what is in the best interest of the child. Even when a parent has had little to no interaction or bonding with a child, either by choice, alienation or circumstances, it may not be beneficial for the child to have that relationship permanently severed by way of an adoption. The Court must determine not only what is in the child’s best interest currently but also how that determination impacts the child in a few years, and ultimately for the rest of his/her life.

Once an adoption is granted the child no longer has any rights to any benefits that the biological parent may have to offer, such as child support pursuant to G.L. c. 208, § 28, health insurance coverage, social security benefits in the event of the biological parent’s disability or death. 42 U.S.C. § 402(d) (2010). It would also disqualify the child from inheritance from the biological parent and the biological parent’s family under the laws of intestacy. G.L. c. 210, § 7.

Depending on the adoptive parent’s ability to financially care for the child, the termination of the biological parent’s rights would severe any child support obligation. Therefore, the Court must consider whether the adoptive parents will, may become or are a public charge. Even if the biological parent’s income is minimal the Court will order that parent to pay child support to assist in the well being and care for that child.

The Court must also consider the parent-child relationship and how if severed, through an adoption, would affect the child, now and ultimately forever.

“In the negotiation of their disengagement, divorcing parents may not bargain away the best interests of their children in general, and the children’s right to support, financial or otherwise, from either one of them in particular.” Adoption of Marino, 77 Mass. App. Ct. 656 (2010). See Knox v. Remick, 371 Mass. 433, 437, 358 N.E.2d 432 (1976); Wilcox v. Trautz, 427 Mass. 326, 334-335 n. 7, 693 N.E.2d 141 (1998); White v. Laingor, 434 Mass. at 66, 746 N.E.2d 150; Quinn v. Quinn, 49 Mass.App.Ct. 144, 146, 727 N.E.2d 92 (2000).

However, each case is unique and the circumstances in each case must be looked at to determine if adoption is a viable option.

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