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Category Archives: Family and Divorce Financials
The $199.00 Massachusetts Divorce…or Not!
Didn’t your parents always tell you…? “You get what you pay for!” There’s nothing worse than scoring a seemingly great deal, only to have something fall apart 20 minutes after you bought it. When it comes to professional services, nothing could be more accurate. I recently helped a couple mediate their divorce after the Judge REFUSED to accept their divorce separation agreement they purchased online. Their court financial statements were not completed properly and were not allowed by the court. This was an educated couple with good jobs and income. Some of us appear in court for a living, but [...]
Child Support in Massachusetts – Don’t Be On the Naughty List
Massachusetts divorce and child support lawyer Colleen Cunnally was quoted in an article about collecting child support by Jennifer King on the Lawyers.com website today. The article discusses the case of a mother from West Virginia and her efforts to have the court enforce her child support order against her ex-husband. The article also highlights some of the challenges involved with collecting child support or alimony and public and private enforcement options. Click here to read the article. Are you owed back child support or alimony in Massachusetts? If so, then the payor is in arrears and definitely on the [...]
Everybody Wants Some! Social Security & Divorce in Massachusetts
Like most government assistance programs, Social Security is confusing, especially when it comes to the topic of divorce. In hopes of clearing up some of that confusion, here are some common questions and answers frequently asked by our Massachusetts divorce clients – with some classic 80s and 90s tunes thrown in for no particular reason. Remember that Social Security is a federal system, and is thus regulated by federal statutes. Your divorce agreement cannot alter the federal regulations. Q: I stayed home with the kids while my spouse was able to work and pay into Social Security for years. [...]
Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act Signed by the Governor
On Monday, September 26, 2011, Governor Patrick signed the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act of 2011. The new law will go into effect on March 1, 2012, so we are in a bit of a transition period for a few more months. For more detailed analysis of the MA Alimony Reform Act, please click here to go to our alimony page of our website. Another resource worth checking out is the website of the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Group. This group was instrumental in bringing about the changes to the Massachusetts alimony laws. If you are paying alimony now in Massachusetts, make [...]
Massachusetts Alimony Reform Around the Corner?
By Attorney & Mediator Stephen McDonough of The Divorce Collaborative LLC Click here to watch Fox News spot on MA Alimony reform Whether you call it alimony or spousal support, some people love it, some people hate it. In Massachusetts, many people inside and outside the legal community have been anticipating changes to our much-maligned alimony statute and system, which is definitely unlike other states. For more info on MA alimony reform please read my earlier posts on the subject, including this post from October, 2010. As a reminder, you can always use the search function on the site to find [...]
Child Support in Massachusetts – When Does It End?
Child support in Massachusetts in covered in Chapter 208, Section 28 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Child support is an important part of any divorce when there are minor children, so parents should have at least a basic understanding of child support. Make sure your divorce attorney or divorce mediator explains child support to you if you are or may be paying or receiving child support. One of the most frequent questions asked about child support is “how long does child support last?” Child support normally lasts until a child is 18, although it may continue until age 23 if [...]
Massachusetts Marital Agreement Case Decided
Most of you have heard of a prenuptial agreement since they are frequently discussed in the media, especially during reports about divorces of the rich and famous. Although not as well-known, postnuptial (also known as marital or post-marital) agreements also exist. A postnuptial agreement is entered into by a married couple to set forth the details of their settlement in the event of a divorce, but are drafted before the time of divorce, sometimes in an attempt to actually improve a marriage. A marital agreement is different from a separation agreement (also sometimes referred to as a divorce agreement) that [...]
Reduce Your Massachusetts Divorce Legal Fees
I have yet to meet a client who is excited about paying lots of money for their Massachusetts divorce. If you are one, please call me right away! As consumers, we like to know how much something will cost. It is difficult to plan otherwise. Let’s compare divorce legal fees to another relatively unpleasant task – car shopping: Chuck, a Car Shopper: “So, how much will this car cost me?” Salesperson: ”Well, tough to say. Could be $30,000.00. But it could be a lot more.” Chuck: “Why is that?” Salesperson: ”Well, there are a lot of variables. I am [...]
Valuation Issues Surrounding Professional Practices at Divorce, by Steve McDonough, Esq.
When a divorcing spouse owns a business, several factors must be examined as part of the distribution of the marital estate. The type of business entity in question will obviously play a major role in how the business asset will be valued. One type of business that provides special challenges to an appraiser and the attorneys on the case is a professional practice, such as a medical practice or law firm. A professional practice is considered by the court (at least here in Massachusetts) as subject to division as part of the marital estate during the divorce process. See Goldman [...]
Part 2 – How Much Will My Divorce Mediation Cost? by Steve McDonough
If you did not have a chance to read Part One about the range of fees for divorce mediation, please do so or be prepared to be confused. The answer is X-Rays. Yes, that is right, X-Rays. My dentist can see what is going on underneath the surface of my tooth and has a clear picture of what is involved. The roofing contractor can only see the outer layer of shingles, but cannot tell what lurks beneath the surface. Perhaps there is rotten plywood that needs replacement, or perhaps not. Either way, the roofing contractor needs to let his customers [...]
