modifications and contempts

As a divorced parent, you may have had to deal with court dates to compel support payments from your former spouse or modify an existing order. But some parents find themselves in a more frightening scenario. An ex-spouse who had been paying support has suddenly died....

For the most part, court orders are not set in stone. Individuals can request modifications to custody orders as circumstances dictate. As they did before creating an order, the courts will consider the best interests of the child before granting a motion to alter an...

Contrary to some states, child support in Massachusetts does not automatically end when your child turns 18. Massachusetts law provides that a parent may need to pay child support up until age 23 if the child remains dependent on the recipient, and a court may even...

After a divorce, parents have to follow a visitation schedule so they both have time with the kids. If one parent refuses to follow this schedule, the custodial parent needs to know what to do. Parents may have different kinds of visitation schedules depending on...

Your divorce probably took a lot of effort and sacrifice get to the finalization stage. This is an important milestone that you can congratulate yourself on reaching. Unfortunately, however, it may not mean the end of the conflict with your ex-spouse. Sometimes, even...

Life is constantly evolving. We see the world changing around us, and we are actively changing our lives through our decisions, such as our careers, our relationships and even where we live. But do life changes lead to changes in alimony? Alimony is like any other...

The word "contempt" in everyday language means a person or thing that deserves disdain or disrespect. In the legal field, "contempt" is a technical term used to describe the violation of a court order. Law-abiding people who divorce through the court system receive...

The divorce is finally over. The Massachusetts family law judge has issued the final decree, and you and your former spouse are free to go your separate ways. The only problem is, your ex is not sending you the alimony payment the judge ordered. What can you do? At...

Massachusetts parents who have gotten a divorce will also have to work through child custody arrangements. However, situations don't stay the same forever. There may come a day in which a couple believes their old custody arrangement simply doesn't work anymore. But...