Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I just need someone to hear me out, please. I need help.

answered on Feb 7, 2022
Use an LAR attorney. Below is a full explanation of how it works. It gives you an opportunity to hire an attorney for just one or two things. Check it out at:
https://divorcingoptions.com/Handouts/Limited_Representation_PDF_Handout_Version.pdf
I am trying to gain full legal and physical custody of my two kids but will be representing myself with the documents I have.

answered on Jan 18, 2022
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.
He has supervised visitation at his mother house and his mother is supposed to supervise him on all three days that he has. I texted his mother to confirm to see he was at the home for his visitation but she never text me back i got worried and i check on my daughter ipad location and she wasn’t... View More

answered on Jan 9, 2022
You should have the police do a wellness check at the grandmother's home and they would document that the child wasn't there. And/or you could also have them do a wellness check at the girlfriend's house to confirm the child is there and who is present. You should also take... View 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... View More

answered on Dec 31, 2021
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... View 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?

answered on Oct 12, 2021
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... View More
Can someone just show up to court with a lawyer that they previously did not have?

answered on Sep 21, 2021
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... View More
It is stamped, signed and dated and filed into court

answered on Sep 15, 2021
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!!
I was just informed that my sons paternal grandparents filed, and were granted, emergency temporary custody of my son while I was receiving inpatient treatment for my mental health. I also just learned he has been hospitalized for suicidal ideation, which I was not informed of at all. I have always... View More

answered on Sep 14, 2021
It appears that you will need legal representation in a guardianship dispute and you can file a Motion for appointment of counsel by the Court if you are indigent. If you are not indigent then you should engage counsel once you are able to do so. It appears that you will need to take care of your... View More
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?

answered on Sep 12, 2021
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... View More
The child is now 1 year old. Our friend is 49 and her boyfriend is 53. They are currently together but he was divorced twice. They are asking me and my wife to sign a guardianship proxy. Should we? What is the risk to us?

answered on Sep 7, 2021
Are you indicating that you are not willing to serve as the child's guardian if needed to fulfil the role? If so you would need to make that clear to the parents so that they can have others in place. In Massachusetts there is a distinction between guardianship and conservatorship as the... View More

answered on Sep 3, 2021
If you have a visitation order or a Judgment that states the terms of visitation and are being denied visitation , then there appear to be grounds for a Contempt action unless there is something happening which is inimical to the child's best interests in which case the custodial parent... View 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?

answered on Aug 26, 2021
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... View More
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... View More

answered on Jul 21, 2021
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... View More
I left my ex when he was cheating again and he then moved in, knocked up and married the other woman. 50/50 verbal agreement was working the best possible. 1 year later I took my ex to court because he began withholding our children from me when I told him I was in a serious relationship. We have a... View More

answered on Jul 9, 2021
So, domestic abuse is a serious allegation and you have not stated the outcome of the charge(s) either. The Court would need to find that there is no risk to the children from being around this individual despite your romantic attachment and the Court could potentially grant father custody. Having... View 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,... View More

answered on Jul 7, 2021
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... View 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.

answered on Jun 21, 2021
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.
There isn’t a time listed but date is approved.

answered on Jun 15, 2021
So if this is an unusual time for pick up for regular visitation then the other party may not agree to provide the child at that hour.
How to protect my parenting rights agreed on if in different jurisdiction?
We are relocating to US, different states!
Thanks

answered on Jun 4, 2021
If the children were not living in Massachusetts for the last 6 months or more, Massachusetts would not have jurisdiction of the children unless the parties agree or agreed that Massachusetts would have jurisdiction .
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.

answered on Jun 2, 2021
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?

answered on Apr 13, 2021
Unless he is under guardianship due to disability, he is an adult and can live elsewhere.
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