I am trying to gain full legal and physical custody of my two kids but will be representing myself with the documents I have.
You are not required to conduct discovery, but it is advisable in order to obtain information which may be evidence at the trial of this matter.
Seeking retroactive child support back to the date the kids and I moved out. (4-5 years ago). We were never married and he is the father- on the birth certificate of both children.
This is a new child support request. We previously had a verbal agreement for weekly payments that he has not... Read more »
Usually, a retroactive order can only go back as far as the date the opposing party was served with the complaint for child support. If there has never been an order previously, you may have the ability to argue for retroactive support back to the child's date of birth, but it would depend if... Read more »
My child’s father has not been in their life for over 6years. During that time I have had them full time with no help from him in any way. He does not pay any child support. He does call about once a month. Recently he has been asking for their information everything from school/medical records... Read more »
There sounds like a lack of relationship over a lengthy period of time and the Court is sensitive to the effect of father's suddenly attempting to regain contact where there had been no regularity. Asking for contact information about other people is indeed odd and really not your information... Read more »
not sure if this question got through previously but my daughter is in a very emotionally abusive situation with a husband of almost 6 years that has complete control over all assets and resources and has a young girlfriend that he stays with during the week in another part of MA. Since everything... Read more »
There are pro bono attorneys such as through the Volunteer Lawyers project of the Boston Bar Association and the major law schools have law clinics which may be a route. She has obvioulsy rights not to be abused and there would be child support orders for the child. If this is a brief marriage... Read more »
My child is 12 now I've had custody since 2014 mom lost custody for not complying with dcf. I would like to move out of state and change her visitations to the summers every other holiday and school vacation is this possible?
Even though you have custody as a result of a DCF case, you would still need to get the permission of the Probate and Family court before you could move out of state with your child if MA removal laws apply. MA law requires you to get permission-
IF your child was born in MA or has lived... Read more »
This guy is from Haiti. He has been staying on the tourist visa and he seduced my friend to married him. He has a kid with her now: a 2 years old daughter.
More information is needed, but it cannot come from her. You have no affirmative duty nor direct evidence of fraud by the husband! Strangely, you ‘may know’ more incriminating facts about her!
It reads more like, she ‘seems to want’ out of a marital relationship that appears to... Read more »
Can someone just show up to court with a lawyer that they previously did not have?
Basically you can hire counsel as long as you find one who will take your case. Occasionally counsel is brought in late in the proceedings and asks for a Continuance which the Court can allow. This may be the concern you have- delay of the proceedings. Occasionally counsel brought in may have a... Read more »
It is stamped, signed and dated and filed into court
It has to be filed with the Court and acted upon to take effect. If you have second thoughts you really should have counsel represent you!!
They have 2 grown children who also live in MA and visit them almost daily, but my mother lives in RI. They aren't cautious, but I don't want to be held in contempt. I've offered video calls and outdoor visits, they won't budge. How do I keep my foot down?
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... Read more »
We have been a couple for 20 years, married 14 years. We lived together for 5 years prior to buying a house 5 months before our wedding. The house was initially in his name because he had better credit at the time. We refinanced recently and I am secondary on the mortgage. Am I entitled to half?
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... Read more »
Your counsel can file a Motion requesting the appointment of counsel for the child. The Court may also determine to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to investigate and report to the Court concerning the best interests of the child in custody and visitation matters.
About three years ago my ex husband suffered three ischemic strokes which altered him. I was a stay at home mom for 13 years and one day come home to being kicked out, he retained a lawyer, I was left powerless. I lost custody of my kids after a long battle I couldnt win. It took a long emotional... Read 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... Read more »
I've had the same biased judge since 2013 who is never on my side despite the evidence. I filed an ex parte hearing due to my 15 year old daughter's father almost killing his wife by strangulation. The wife has a restraining order on him. I arrived with police to witness the father, wife,... Read 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... Read more »
He has never met his child and we have had zero contact. I am just curious as to what some of my options might be going forward.
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.
Assuming you are talking about divorce, "filing a complaint" is not enough to get what you call "answers" and the Rules call "Defendant's Answer".
Have you received and served, according to the Rules, a Summons?
It looks like you are not prepared... Read more »
If there is a uniform support order, and divorce was mediated and both parents waived having one pay child support, with notations by the Judge in the order, can another person modify the order stating that the parent didn't ever pay child support? The parent who supported is deceased.
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?
his mom wants to send him to his father whom did not treat him well as a child, he is 19 going to 20 in june will he have a day in this?
Unless he is under guardianship due to disability, he is an adult and can live elsewhere.
I have split parents, they have been divorced since I was 5. My mother has been abusing me mentally. I know this always gets over looked as the child overreacting but this isn’t some joke. My parents have equal custody, can I request to live with my good parent?
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... Read more »
We want my child back with me we are looking for a lawyer to help us reverse it.
This would probably be a new adoption petition. An adoption practitioner can go over all of your unique facts.
My son and I were physically assaulted by my now ex. My sons father. He is being charged with 3 counts a&b and 2 counts suffocation/strangulation. He was bonded on $5000 bail, plus gps and zero contact with myself and our son. He was found to be a danger. After this transpired, my decade long... Read more »
If you are seeking custody of the child and opposing guardianship of paternal grandmother then you should engage counsel to represent you if you are able to do so. In contesting guardianship an indigent parent can have court appointed counsel via motion to the court requesting same. The is random... Read more »
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