T. Augustus Claus Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 13, 2023

In Massachusetts, disability benefits such as Social Security Disability and veteran disability benefits are typically considered separate property and are not subject to division during divorce. However, the division of marital property, including assets like the house, is determined by the... View More

Thomas Shack III Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 25, 2023

In Massachusetts, it is possible to use a house as collateral for legal fees, but it would depend on the specific circumstances and the specific agreement between you and your specific lawyer.

It is best to obtain a separate loan if possible as there would need to be separate counsel to review the circumstances of a mortgage promissory note situation. You also want to make sure that you don't violate an automatic asset restraining order if Divorce is or will be started shortly.

T. Augustus Claus Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 16, 2023

Deciding where to file for divorce when you and your spouse live in different states involves considering residency requirements, jurisdictional rules, and personal factors. Typically, you would file in your current state of residence, but it's important to understand the specific residency... View More

There are a couple of factors to review. a) Was the home placed in a trust prior to or after the marriage? b) Is the trust revocable or irrevocable? c) Whose benefit was the trust intended for? Until recently, trusts were seen as assets when a court decided how assets were to be distributed upon... View More

Mistakes actually do happen. A mistake is not "fraudulent billing." Some billing programs assign numbers to clients and particular matters. The attorney, or the person entering the attorney's time, may input the wrong numbers, and a time entry may appear on the wrong client's... View More

You could file a Petition to Partition in the Probate and Family Court. I have never seen one filed jointly, but I don't see why you couldn't do that, or you could file it as contested then file an agreement for judgment. I believe that could also be filed in Land Court, I am pretty sure... View More

Most likely it is just an error by the registry unless there has been a recent filing. You could contact the registry for the county where the divorce occurred and ask them to close it, but probably not worth the effort as there is no consequence to the "active" designation if there is no... View More

So was this at the divorce trial? If the trial is ongoing then I believe if requested by the parties they can jointly amend the record by stipulation or Motion as you apparently answered a question too quickly!! Perhaps a Motion to seek correction of testimony would work. If the trial is over and... View More

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

If these are the facts, then you have am argument to make to the Court that the equities are on your side of the balance sheet, but you should engage a divorce attorney and not try to present this information yourself. Divorce is not a paint by the numbers or press the lever and get the outcome... View More

Unfortunately, it depends. For purposes of alimony, the duration of marriage is calculated as the date of marriage through the date of service of the Complaint for Divorce. So, if your ex-spouse filed on March 19, 2021, it would be whatever date after that you were actually served with the divorce... View More

You would need to notify your counsel that this deal may not be viable due to the lack of income for an apartment and you have not stated what State you are in so the laws of that State are applicable with regard to child support and alimony.

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.

You and wife were living in Massachusetts correct? This is what I am assuming. Are you on the Deed? If there is no divorce complaint on file with the Probate Court, the closing attorney would make the check payable to the title holder. Your filing and serving a divorce complaint and summons on your... View More

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... View More

Your Joint Petition did not successfully go forward when heard by the Judge, hence no divorce . You should engage divorce counsel to see what was deficient or inequitable about your Separation Agreement attempt. Perhaps there was also deficiency in the documentation , e.g, Financial Statements or... View More

Any alimony would be for 60% of the period of the marriage, so for about 43 months but the issue is ability to pay and income differential and you have not stated whether there ae any children as child support is the first consideration and effects alimony. There are also types of alimony to... View More

It sounds like you need the Probate Court's intervention in the form of Temporary Orders concerning exclusivity of possession of the home and orders concerning preservation of the asset if it is a home owned by the parties and spousal support and return of the liquidated marital funds - you... View More

A few questions about your situation would need to be answered before a useful response can be give, although title ownership does not mean the occupation of the home by you would not be ordered by the Court..