Family Law

Key Takeaways The key difference between annulment and divorce in Massachusetts is that an annulment declares the marriage was never legally valid, while a divorce ends a valid marriage. That distinction (never existing rather than being ended) affects everything from property rights to child custody.  If you’re not sure which fits your situation, get Massachusetts family…

Key Takeaways Legal separation in Massachusetts: Legal separation in Massachusetts is called “separate support” and is a court process that lets married couples live apart while resolving issues like financial support and child custody, without ending the marriage. Legal separation can be a good choice for couples who object to divorce for religious reasons, want…

If the other parent is lying about their income in a Massachusetts child support case, you can take legal steps to uncover the truth and correct the record. The court has tools to investigate suspected misreporting, especially when one parent is self-employed or hiding assets. Whether inflating expenses, underreporting income, or being vague, financial dishonesty…

Understanding Massachusetts child support and taxes hinges on a simple truth: child support payments aren’t taxable for the recipient, nor are they deductible for the payer. Both federal and state laws treat child support as neutral when it comes to taxes. That may simplify filing, but it doesn’t mean taxes and support obligations are entirely…

In Massachusetts, stepchildren and second families do not automatically affect a parent’s child support obligation, but they can influence how the court evaluates a parent’s ability to pay. The primary duty of support remains with the legal children of the original order, though courts may consider financial responsibilities to a second family when deciding whether…

Losing your job doesn’t automatically get you off the hook for child support in Massachusetts, but it can change what you owe. While unemployment affects your ability to pay, the court still expects you to meet your obligations based on whatever income you do have, including unemployment benefits.  The good news is that if your…

Enforcing a child support order in Massachusetts means taking legal steps when one parent isn’t meeting their financial obligations. These court-ordered payments aren’t optional, and when they go unpaid, the system provides powerful tools to help custodial parents recover what’s owed. From wage garnishments and tax refund interceptions to license suspensions and contempt proceedings, enforcement…

You can request a modification of child support in Massachusetts when there’s been a significant change in circumstances or if the existing order no longer aligns with the state’s guidelines. Child support isn’t a one-and-done calculation; it’s designed to adapt as life evolves. A change in income, job loss, health issues, or shifts in parenting…

Understanding how child support is calculated in Massachusetts is important whether you’re dealing with a separation, divorce, or establishing paternity. The Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines govern this process, making sure that children get the right financial support from both parents.  While the formula might seem easy to use on paper, in practice, it often requires using complicated worksheets, evaluating…

Divorce is never simple, but that’s particularly true when children are involved. Both parents are obligated to support their children, and, for the non-custodial parent, that usually takes the form of financial payments called child support.  Setting the amount the non-custodial parent will pay in child support is not a simple matter. The rules are…