Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Child Support legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Massachusetts Child Support Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I’m currently paying child support monthly and my son lives with me full time Cory made it a hassle to stop amicably

Me and the mom are no longer getting along and she refuses to return the child support money to me even though my son lives with me and she only takes him about a day or two per month. we filed for the child support to stop (when we were getting along) but the court rejected it what can/should I do!

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Jan 24, 2025

You should file a Complaint for Modification with the court ASAP. You can ask for child support to be adjusted retroactively, but the court can only go back to the date that the other party was served with the summons on your Complaint for Modification. If you go to the courthouse and ask for the... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I file complaint for contempt regarding child support without representation?

I spent tens of thousands on my lawyer first time around - and still feel my child's well being was not the priority. I have no funds remaining and am now in tremendous debt. I have contacted several agencies offering free family law support. None have availability to assist. My ex has ignored... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I file a complaint for contempt in MA for child support without legal representation?

I am unable to afford legal representation and have contacted multiple organizations offering free services - none of which are able to offer me services at this time. I understand I have burden of proof. The Agreement states clearly what the obligations are. There have been multiple aspects he has... View More

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Jan 17, 2025

You can absolutely file for contempt without an attorney. A Complaint for Contempt is on the easier end of the spectrum compared to other types of cases in Probate & Family Court because the issues tend to be pretty discrete.

You will first need to show that there was an order in...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Family Law and Public Benefits for Massachusetts on
Q: Hi. Can you receive child support if parent is on social security disability?
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 19, 2023

When it comes to child support, the fact that a parent is receiving Social Security disability benefits does not automatically exempt them from their obligation to pay child support. Child support is typically determined based on various factors, such as the needs of the child and the income and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: If a court order (family law) has been filed and served and no court date has been assigned yet due to back up in courts

Parents of children unmarried split. father went to court to establish custody and parenting time as the mother is trying to dictate how and when he can see the them. So far a docket # assigned but the court date is in process. (custody/parenting time). mother is keeping kids from father because he... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jul 18, 2023

Your question is confusing-Did you file a Petition? Or did the Court enter Orders? If there is a violation of a Court Order there can be a Contempt Complaint filed and served to address the violation. If a Petition or Complaint was filed by you ,then you would need to have it served upon the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Child is 22 - can support end? Massachusetts

I have been paying child support for 12 years. My child just turned 22 and just graduated with his SECOND associates degree, works 30 hours a week and is planning on working 40 per week in the near future. His mother forced him into the second degree program so child support wouldn't end... View More

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Jun 7, 2023

Judges have discretion in this situation, but I think it makes sense to go forward with your modification. Based on his employment and age alone, it seems like child support should end. Obviously, this is said with very limited information, but I think it would be hard for your ex-wife to argue... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Family Law and Child Custody for Massachusetts on
Q: Child support in MA with out of state father.

I recently had a baby while living in MA. I filed for child support giving as much information about the father as possible. It has been a week and the application still says "submitted".

The father moved out of state and won't supply me his new address so I could only... View More

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Apr 4, 2023

It could take anywhere from several weeks to several months. You could call DOR-CSE and ask them about the status if you haven't heard anything in a few more days.

DOR will work with the child support agency in his state to collect the payments once the MA court issues an order for...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Will a Massachusetts judge grant a motion for video chat visits twice a week for 15 minutes with a 1 year old child?

I live in MA & currently have temporary sole legal and physical custody of our child. My ex lives out of state in Maryland and will soon start court ordered parenting time every other weekend for 6 hours. He frequently disappears for weeks to months at a time without any contact. He has also... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Mar 30, 2023

The Court could enter a version of the requested order , but you should assert the difficulty involved in having the child participate for the full length of the call . Of greater concern at this point is the lack of consistency by father "disappearing for weeks or months" . Is there also... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: I just got 50/50 custody of my children. Which parent will receive my disabled daughter's SSDI benefits.

She currently gets the benefits and it's her only income and she expects me to pay child support too because SSDI isn't counted as income which really isn't fair.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Feb 14, 2023

The amo0unt of SSDI received for the dependent children could be greater than the calculated Guidelines child support to be paid in some circumstances. If it is less is where there would be orders.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: My adult child is making 30k a year. I’m my divorce decree full time employment constitutes emancipation. Help

None of my support goes to kid. Wife states kid pays for stuff because she works. Then why am I still paying ???

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Jan 30, 2023

You can file a Complaint for Modification and ask that your child support be terminated by the court. If you believe it should be terminated, you should file as soon as possible because a judge can only order it to be adjusted retroactively as far back as there is a pending Complaint for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: If my child now goes to boarding school, does that effect my weekly payment?

My daughter is going to a boarding school this year. My ex wife and I have split the cost for this. I have a son who lives with my ex wife. Is my weekly payment effected by my daughter now not living with my ex wife?

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Dec 5, 2022

Unfortunately for you, probably not. If your daughter returns to your ex-wife's home for school breaks, that would still likely be considered her primary residence. You could always agree with your ex-wife to reduce the child support payment based on your daughter going to boarding school, but... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: How long does a judge have to sign and file a judgement after a child support hearing in Massachusetts?

My court hearing for child support was 27 days ago yet I still haven’t received the judgement in the mail, neither have the courts or DOR.

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Nov 22, 2022

It depends on the type of hearing. If it was a divorce trial where child support was just one of many issues, it would take a few (or more) months. If it was a hearing where DOR was seeking support on the other parent's behalf, it should be much quicker. It also depends on the county you are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: I pay child support weekly to my ex for our two kids. She requested a joint account for sports. She ask to up the sport

account monthly. Which I did. Our children are 14-16 she has now interfered with my custody cause I moved in with my Girlfriend. Now wants to modify the agreement so I pay more on top of the sports account. Because she has made it so my girls won't come visit me. Changing the child support... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Nov 18, 2022

The Court can award a Modification of child support if material income changes have occurred and sharing of living expenses is a change in circumstances that may justify Modification.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: Parties agree to contribute to child's educational expenses ~according to their respective abilities at the time."

Ambiguous. Who decides ability? Can parent have a savings account or be concerned someone is going to say "S/He has money?" Child is 20 years old in college and is capable of supporting self but lives with one parent.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Oct 17, 2022

A child in college full-time is not considered to be emancipated and the duty to pay child support and make college contribution exists. Where there is an indefinite percentage or sum indicated there is likely a basis for court review in a Modification proceeding. The current Massachusetts child... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Massachusetts on
Q: I got served divorce papers an never responded. Never new when court was he got awarded everything. Can it be changed?

He never told me when court was never knew. He got the house an full custody. He never told me. I found out I was legally divorced because I got kicked off his insurance. Can anything be changed with my property?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Sep 12, 2022

Why did you not respond? Were you in the hospital the entire time??

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I deny my wife's request for an increase in child support since we are still married and do not have a court order?

I am married, but have been separated from my wife for 15 years. We have two children together, so I have been paying child support per a verbal agreement between my wife & I. She has raised my payments many times over the years any time her rent increased. Now, both children are over 18 and... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 30, 2022

You are not under any Court Order and there is no proceeding pending in any Court correct? Then everything you have done is voluntary and the longer you stay married the more complicated your divorce get!!! If you die then she is your heir!!! Get a lawyer contact pro bono law school programs.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I let my 17 year old son go from Massachusetts to North Carolina to visit his father his father agreed to bring him home

now his father is telling me he's no longer going to let him come home what are my rights I've been raising him for the last 17 years and his father owes over $100,000 in child support in Massachusetts what can I do to get my son back legally?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 1, 2022

If you are the primary custodial parent he is in Contempt and a Contempt Complaint should be filed in the Court where your custodial orders were established ASAP with a Motion and Affidavit for Emergency hearing to have the child brought back to Massachusetts also potentially has also violated... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: Modification of child custody and child support

Can I modify child custody and support if I went from 5 overnights to 7 overnights plus taking them till 7 at night 4 other nights? And have my kids all day on Sunday while my ex is at work. Yea he only days. Don’t see them are tuesdays and every other Saturday, other then that they are with m... View More

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on May 17, 2022

It sounds like you have a good argument for modification. If you think your ex will retaliate, just be sure you really want to kick the hornet's nest. If your kids are doing well with the current arrangement, it may be worth it to suck it up even though you feel she is taking advantage of you.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: I want to file for child support. Do I need a lawyer for that??

Husband left to PR and hasn't given any support to our son, since he left in 2020.

We are living w/some family and can use the help. How long does it take to file for child support? Thank you

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on May 7, 2022

You would either need to file for divorce or file a Complaint for Separate Support if you do not want to file for divorce.

With either of those, you can file a motion for temporary orders, which would include child support and anything else you would want a judge to address on a temporary...
View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.