Grandparents rights

As a grandparent you have no special rights other than possibly "grandparent visitation", which (a.) is not the same as custody and (b.) involves...

A mere lack of involvement by a parent does not generally constitute parental "unfitness", which is a specific legal term that is used in...

What can I do?

Generally, a "no contact" restraining order only goes "one way". That is, the Defendant is prohibited from contacting the Plaintiff, but not vice...

I have to say I disagree with my colleagues, but I believe it oversimplifies matters to say that a 16 year old child cannot decide where he/she...

Ex has not paid child support

If he was obligated to pay the mortgage and failed to pay those payments, it sounds like you have an action for contempt. If you paid $15,000 that...

I own my condo outright. My fiancé does not want to sign a pre-nup. How can I protect my property in case of a divorce?

If you transfer ownership of the condo (or other property) to a third party to hold on your behalf, such as a family member, you create the...

I was released from prison seven days ago and there is a restraining order in place. How do I obtain my personal property?

You should start by reading the Abuse Prevention Form carefully. Box 10 on Page 1 of the standard Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Form provides...

My oldest step son dropped out of college and doesn't want to go back. The next step son will attend college in the fall of '12

A couple of responses. First, under MA law, a child will be considered "emancipated" if he or she reaches age 21, and is not enrolled full-time at...

How is it determined who should be paying child support for a 19 year old daughter who is in her first year of college

Under Massachusetts law, when a child is between the ages of 18 and 20 years old, a court will award child support to one parent if its finds that...

In the case of Smith v. McDonald, decided in 2010, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that "[w]hile a statute governing divorced...