My child's father believes that I am using drugs. The reason is because he heard a recording of my current partner and i arguing. That he obtained from a 3rd party, illegally. Also, my partner didn't know he was being recorded. In the audio it uses a slang word for a drug, but that word... Read more »

answered on Apr 30, 2023
The judge can basically order anything that they deem to be in the best interests of the child. If there is a reason for them to be concerned about drug use, they can order a drug test. It doesn't really matter how they came to making that order, unfortunately. You could choose to appeal it,... Read more »
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... Read more »

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... Read more »
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... Read more »

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... Read more »
I am an unmarried single mother that has a temporary order for sole legal and physical custody of my 1 year child in MA. Child’s father lives out of state in Maryland and judge has ordered a temporary, unsupervised visitation schedule for father to come to MA every other weekend for 6 hours.... Read more »

answered on Mar 4, 2023
From a practical standpoint, even though he was granted visits, how often is he going to be able to travel from Maryland to Massachusetts for a 6-hour visit? You may want to wait and see how things go. Judges usually give parents the opportunity to show they can parent successfully, but if it... Read more »
During the process of gaining guardianship, what if parent demands kid comes back

answered on Mar 3, 2023
You would need to obtain Guardianship over the minor via Petition to the Probate & Family Court where there was either a previous divorce or paternity proceeding or where you live if not applicable. If there is an Emergency you would need to also request temporary guardianship and have grounds... Read more »
My ex am I have an order stating neither one of us can cancel a Drs appointment made by the other, she brought him in to the Drs and got the second vaccine shot which was an appointment I made for another date, the office then canceled the appointment I made as it was obviously no longer needed, is... Read more »

answered on Feb 18, 2023
It is hard to say without reviewing the specific order, but a judge would probably look at your ex's intent, but also if that cancellation harmed you or the child in any way. If your ex took the child to a different scheduled appointment and the doctor offered to give your son the second... Read more »
I was never married to my sons father, and then he moved to a different country. He visits twice a year for a few weeks. He was here over Christmas this year, and I had the flu, so he offered to take my son to his annual physical. While he was there he got him vaccinated for covid, against my... Read more »

answered on Jan 10, 2023
Either parent may consent to the vaccination of a minor.
Theoretically, you can petition the court with jurisdiction over your custody case for the sole right to make decisions for the non-emergency medical treatment of your child. However, your refusal to allow routine vaccinations like... Read more »
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?

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... Read more »
I volunteered for a probation officer to investigate my custody dispute currently I'm court. I currently have visitation that is ordered from the judge. I take random urines and there was a problem with the system and it reported I didn't have a urine and the probation officer said I did... Read more »

answered on Jul 26, 2022
It sounds like something is amiss and you should have legal representation in this important matter which you have tried to handle pro se to your detriment. You may seek a hair follicle examination via Motion citing the information you have given in this question, but your ability to navigate the... Read more »
My ex has primary custody of our kids. They live in filth and squalor, sleeping in beds with moldy food, used tampons, etc. I have video and photographic evidence, along with my ex admitting to the conditions in text messages, asking me to help clean, and stating, "I can't put all my time... Read more »

answered on Jul 13, 2022
It does sound like neglect from your description of the children's living situation and the DCF can be contacted to investigate. They will know a divorce is pending and that you are a party. Is this a new distinguishable state of affairs in the household ? One of the questions that will be... Read more »
My ex has two partners and they are sleeping over at his home (all in one bed, according to the children) while my young children are present. We share custody but I am concerned that the home isn't stable or supportive for my kids, and that inappropriate behavior may impact them negatively.

answered on Jul 7, 2022
If there was a divorce judgment or other judgment involving custody and visitation, then you will ASAP need to file a Modification Complaint along with a Motion to Suspend/ Limit Visitation so that third persons are not present overnight with the children and an affidavit as to what the children... Read more »
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... Read more »

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.... Read more »
My daughter has lived with me full time for 4 years. My ex had sole custody of her legally. He hardly gave me any financial support. Since she has turned 18 he refused to help with her. She is still in high school and has a severe mental illness. I have tried taking him to court about a year ago... Read more »

answered on Apr 25, 2022
So the child has not graduated from high school and may have special needs also. There should be child support in accordance with the child support guidelines and you may need to once the child has completed high school seek contribution for the child's continued care via equity petition... Read more »
I was being represented during a custody battle. My lawyer failed repeatedly to do things i asked of him. I then fired him. Went to trial lost without representation. My “fired” lawyer now works in the same firm with the lawyer fighting against me at trial.

answered on Apr 13, 2023
You would need malpractice counsel to review your file to determine whether there is a viable negligence claim and whether there is a viable potential conflict of interest claim.
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.

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.
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... Read more »

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.
She was granted attorneys fees of $5,000, but husband refuses to pay, charged with contempt, got an extension to pay, contempt charges filed again, pending. He was supposed to pay her a min amount for reestablishment, refused. She only gets sons on weekend, agreement is she has to take them to... Read more »

answered on Nov 15, 2022
She needs to continue to pursue the Contempt and sounds like there are more issues where a Contempt may lie, so try to obtain counsel!!
Husband criminal record for physical abuse in NY in 1999, and then had probation revoked, same. Different woman, no recent record abused my daughter physically and emotionally for 14 yrs. Daughter got retraining order, but withdrew it. Husband retaliated and had her arrested after she dropped... Read more »

answered on Nov 15, 2022
Because there is an asset involved potentially she may not qualify for free legal services, but she should definitely try to obtain same ASAP! There could be a Motion for Payment of Counsel Fees with the filing of a Divorce Complaint and other motions for relief, so that husband would be ordered... Read more »
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?

answered on Sep 12, 2022
Why did you not respond? Were you in the hospital the entire time??
remarried. Her husband is petitioning to adopt his son. My son wants to object but needs pro bono work as he has no money. Is there someone in the Worcester County family court that can help him pro bono? Thank you
Patty

answered on Sep 6, 2022
He can file a Motion where the Adoption is pending for Appointment of Counsel based on Indigency and that he is objecting but needs legal assistance in preparing objection if that is the situation.
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