It appears that you will need legal representation in a guardianship dispute and you can file a Motion for appointment of counsel by the Court if you are indigent. If you are not indigent then you should engage counsel once you are able to do so. It appears that you will need to take care of your... View More

I don’t know that you can. If the court order was entered after the start of the pandemic, you most likely need to allow visits. If it was entered previous to the pandemic, I would suggest requesting masks (as well as your other requests) be worn in writing. If they refuse, I would document the... View More

Are you indicating that you are not willing to serve as the child's guardian if needed to fulfil the role? If so you would need to make that clear to the parents so that they can have others in place. In Massachusetts there is a distinction between guardianship and conservatorship as the... View More

If you have a visitation order or a Judgment that states the terms of visitation and are being denied visitation , then there appear to be grounds for a Contempt action unless there is something happening which is inimical to the child's best interests in which case the custodial parent... View More

Maybe, it depends on all of the factors surrounding your divorce and living together prior to marriage. The Judge must consider about 15 factors then decide what an equitable division of all the assets would be.

You want to consult with an experience divorce attorney who will review the... View More

Since your 15 year old has been with you and apparently wants to stay with you , this is a Modification of custody complaint which you would be bringing. At 15 your child would have a voice about her primary residence and would still have visitation with father. It is unfortunate that you have not... View More

So, domestic abuse is a serious allegation and you have not stated the outcome of the charge(s) either. The Court would need to find that there is no risk to the children from being around this individual despite your romantic attachment and the Court could potentially grant father custody. Having... View More

The Court assigns the Judges usually by docket number and unless there is a reason for the Judge to recuse, it is very difficult to change the Judge assigned. If your 15 year old is unsafe or unhappy due to what is occurring with her father and his household, then you can seek a Modification and... View More

You can commence a Paternity action and seek support orders; both parties have the duty to support their child and if there are public benefits involved, the government has the ability to go forward to seek paternity adjudication regardless of whether you are interested in pursuing the matter.

So if this is an unusual time for pick up for regular visitation then the other party may not agree to provide the child at that hour.

If the children were not living in Massachusetts for the last 6 months or more, Massachusetts would not have jurisdiction of the children unless the parties agree or agreed that Massachusetts would have jurisdiction .

This is a very confusing question , particularly if a Modification is being sought against an estate? If there is not an order of child support, is there an order relative to life insurance?

Unless he is under guardianship due to disability, he is an adult and can live elsewhere.

If you are being mentally abused, have you told a Mandated Reporter such as a pediatrician , social worker, mental health counselor, psychologist, or school guidance counselor or school official or DCF hotline # about this matter and the underlying facts which constitute mental abuse? Is the... View More

This would probably be a new adoption petition. An adoption practitioner can go over all of your unique facts.

If by legally you mean that your husband adopted your son and your husband's name is on the birth certificate, I don't think the biological father can do anything because he would have been notified about the adoption. If your husband isn't on the birth certificate then the... View More

Have you counsel representing you ? If not , you have a right to counsel and if you are indigent or believe you are indigent the Court will appoint counsel to represent you, but you need to file a Motion for Appointment of Counsel and you should also consider requesting random screening as the... View More

You question is a bit shy on the procedural background. So there should be a Guardianship of Minor Petition and Petition for appointment as Temporary Guardian. Has that occurred? Otherwise has the DCF commenced a care and protection case in the district court? It sounds like adoption proceedings... View More

I take it you have already explored whether he would voluntarily consent to adoption by stepfather? This is the easiest method to proceed. Otherwise there would need to be either a default on a petition or a trial establishing unfitness of bio father with an adjudication.

You should request a therapist referral from the provider who is leaving for a successor therapist. Both parents should have input for the new provider. If the other parent refuses and there is a proceeding pending or if there is not a proceeding one would need to be brought- for Modification... View More