Massachusetts Child Custody Questions & Answers
Q: My spouse got physical custody of my daughter 10 yrs ago. My daughter wants to move in with me. Do I need a court order?
Daughter is 16 years old.
Hello, yes, you should file a Modification proceeding and a Motion for Temporary Orders seeking primary physical custody of the child and if granted, then you would be entitled to child support from the other spouse.
Q: Massachusetts- Rights of the father to seek psychological help for his son, mom refuses. What can be done?
Step mother is being verbally and physically abused by the her oldest step son. Father wants to get him psychological help for these issues but the mother isn't cooperating. Child lives 3 hours away in another state. What are the father's rights to getting his son the help he needs?
You have not stated the age of the child. If he is a minor and if father has joint legal custody then he can seek a Modification for Medical decision-making authority based upon mother's refusal to deal with the aggression . You would need a Petition for same and a Motion for Temporary Orders as it... Read more »
Q: Can I legally read a sealed court case if my mother has a copy of the case and grants me permission?
As a child I was part of a very intense custody battle. The case has since been sealed but my mother has a copy. Can I legally read the documents If I’m given permission by my mother to read the documents she possesses and the case pertains to me?
Was there an impoundment order? The parties and their counsel
would have access to information in the file. The file is not public
so there should be no dissemination of the contents without a
vacating of the impoundment order. So if you have concerns then
you should... Read more »
Q: In a custody case, can opposing counsel interview a minor child
The investigation should be done by a guardian ad litem appointed by the Court or a Probate Court Probation officer. Therefore, your counsel should bring forward a Motion for same.
Q: Mother tells father of unborn child (3.5 months) to pay hotel bill until baby is born or he can’t see child. Extortion?
(Mass General law Chapter 265, Section 25 governs extortion.) ... Extortion is a criminal offense whereby an individual obtains property or money by any type of force and threats of 1) violence, 2) property damage, 3) harm to reputation, or 4) unfavorable government action.
Mother is... Read more »
Putative father should rather than get into the nuances of whether there may be a criminal proceeding instead bring forward a Paternity action in the Probate Court where the child is born/living to establish paternity and seek visitation as well as child support orders.
Q: My son girlfriend is 16 years old and has a 8 month baby with my son. The girlfriend has been living with me for a year.
The girlfriend’s mother does not give her any child support she gets from her father. Girlfriend’s mom gets snap benefits and child support and refuses to give the daughter any money. I been supporting this 16 year old.
To obtain a support order you would need to be appointed the girlfriend's guardian first.
Q: My ex wife is threatening to refuse me visitation.
Hello. My ex wife is threatening to refuse me visitation, on the grounds that she does not approve of my new significant other (Who has no criminal record, is a mother of 4, doesn't drink, do drugs, etc, and is not a danger to my daughter in any way). We have joint legal custody, and a... Read more »
It sounds like you could file a Contempt for the refusal of visitation.
Q: My 14 yr old grandson lives with his father, his father abuse's him and makes him sleep outside do i need a lawyer?
His father is keeping him from me, his father is unfit to care for him i once had guardianship of my grandson.
You have not given enough information as to whether there was a divorce or if this is an unmarried situation nor information as to your involvement with the child, but if there is abuse or neglect you can certainly contact the Department of children and Families.
Q: My brother (45yrs) has custody of his 2 kids (1 biological & 1 stepson) but he still lives with my parents.
My mother is tired of supporting the 3 of them and wants him & his kids out of the house. How would she accomplish this when he’s not willing to move out on his own?
This is more of a landlord tenant issue I believe.
Q: Unmarried parents, not living together- daughter is 1 month old and I am filing for custody and visitation in MA
Mother wants to take her out of state for 2-3 weeks which means I won’t be able to see my daughter. How do I prevent this? We do not yet have any court orders.
If paternity has not been formally acknowledged already you can commence a Paternity proceeding and seek temporary orders that the child not be removed from the Commonwealth of Mass until adjudication of same. If paternity was already established then a Custody and Support proceeding would need to... Read more »
Q: I moved from Massachusetts & want to file for my kids to visit me In Kansas. My ex says Massachusett doesn’t allow that
It’s been 7 years since I moved. My 18 yr old has visited multiple times. My 9 & 11 yr old are not allowed. I’ve visited 2X but have regular communication with them unless my ex gets mad.
You may file for parenting time with your two young children in the Family Court. Your wife is wrong. Your 18 year old may visit you whenever; he is an adult.
Q: what do i do in regards to getting 70/30 (70 me 30 him) custody of daughter and father is abusive
My daughters father is very ignorant towards me and refused to let me have my daughter on a court ordered visit and is using full custody to tell me when I can see my daughter
It sounds like there is a Contempt of a visitation order in which case you can file a Contempt Complaint at the Court where the adjudication of Paternity or Custody and Support Complaint Orders were issued from.
Q: Looking for information regarding my legal rights as a noncustodial parent believing my child to be in an unsafe environ
Environment. My ex wife has recently entered into a relationship with her blood cousin (Adopted out of the family as an infant, he found her looking for his family). She allowed him to move in with her and my nonverbal autistic daughter without even meeting him - their entire relationship was based... Read more »
If you have a divorce judgment , then the terms of the Judgment or Separation Agreement incorporated in the Judgment as to Custody and visitation, if applicable will be in force until Modified. You have made statements of concern for your child's well-being and a Modification and Motion for... Read more »
Q: What can I do when my son’s father is purposely calling him by the wrong name, after it has been legally changed?
My son is 18 months old. Until this past March, his father refused to see him since I left him in January of 2018 (my son was born October 24, 2017). When my son was born, he was named after his father, but due to his refusal to be involved, in addition to legal issues, I decided to change my... Read more »
The visitation center should provide reports of his conduct to you or your attorney for use in Court for a Motion for potential further curtailment of visits and orders to be obtained concerning the discontinuation of former name use by him .You may need a Modification petition if your case has... Read more »
Q: No contact question RE: child custody
I’m in the process of filing for separation support, legal separation and child support. My husband of 7 years committed adultery and deserted his family for one of his employees.
We have 2 children. Our oldest is in therapy and is having a very hard time with this situation, as an I.... Read more »
If you have counsel the attorney should file a Motion for temporary orders concerning visitation so that this third person/romantic interest not be present during visitation as it is distressing for your child who is in therapy over the break up. You should also seriously consider engaging... Read more »
Q: I have some questions about a family matter regarding my son!
Youi should contact an attorney with a specific question if it is a legal matter.
Q: Hello! Can I file for shared custody in a court in Massachusetts if my kids live in Puerto Rico with their mom?
If so, how long would it take for the court to make a decision?
If the children have been living in Puerto Rico for more than 6 months, Massachusetts would not have jurisdiction. You would need to pursue a Custody Complaint or if there are extant orders/judgment in Divorce or Custody and Support, a Modification there .
Q: In Massachusetts. Does my ex have to provide my child their own bedroom when doing overnights?
The child would need separate sleeping accommodations so that he or she is not sleeping in the same room as the parent . Ideally it would be a bedroom, but not required to be a dedicated bedroom per se. Also, if there are children of different genders they are not to share a bedroom.
Q: Unmarried and separated with three kids. As a single mother, what are my rights an what can I do?
Is there a lawyer that I can get with low income?
You can file three Complaints for Custody-Support-Parenting Time in the Middlesex Probate and Family Court. You can seek to waive the filing fees if you have a low income. After you have filed, I would suggest filing a motion for temporary orders to obtain an award of child support from the... Read more »
Q: Im a dad my 12 year old daughter has been hit with her phone,punched repeatedly is this enough for me to get an attorney
I'm a dad
my daughter hates her living situation
i make a good amount of money
This question cannot be fully answered without more information. If there are allegations of physical abuse, and she does not want to live with her Mother, then you can file a complaint for modification with the Court seeking to obtain custody of her. I would suggest you also file a motion for... Read more »
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