Briones Law Group Blog

Understanding Child Support in Massachusetts

Divorce cases involving children often require a court decision regarding which parent should have physical and/or legal responsibility. Whether granted joint or sole custody, physical custody designates where the child will actually live. The parent who the child resides with most of the time is considered the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may be required to provide for a child or children in the form of child support, which is paid to the custodial parent.

COVID and Traffic Stops: What to know; what’s the difference?

Routine Traffic Stops? No Such Thing Most of us who drive will at some point be pulled over by police for a traffic stop. It is so common that many people know what to do from a young age, perhaps listening to a pulled-over parent walk through the steps from the backseat or in a more formal lecture from mom or dad, auntie or grandpa. In driver’s ed, traffic stops are a covered topic, maybe

How to Land on Your Feet After Divorce

Divorce takes a toll emotionally, physically, and mentally on everyone involved. It’s not uncommon for individuals going through a divorce to want to curl up in bed all day and abandon all responsibilities. As tempting as this sounds, it’s not practical. In fact, doing so can even make things worse. The first step to landing on your feet after divorce is finding acceptance. Just because you’re making the right decision to split up with your

5 Key Questions to Answer When Creating Your Will

If you don’t want important decisions to be left up to the state when you’re gone, you need a will. If the idea of creating a will feels like you’re tempting fate, think of it as a road map you’re leaving your family, so they don’t have to stress over making the right decisions on your behalf. First, you need to understand the differences between a living will and a last will and testament, usually

Out of State Child Support Modification

Child Support and Out-of-State Issues Whether one parent is living just over the Massachusetts border in New Hampshire but still commutes to Boston every day, or whether the one parent is living on the West Coast while the children live with the other on the South Shore, issues of state jurisdiction may come into play when seeking to modify a Massachusetts child support agreement. Changing Circumstances, Modifying Orders In Massachusetts, child support is governed either

How can I establish paternity if my child’s mother is married to someone else?

A father petitioning for paternity needs to have a full understanding of the legal process. Fathers who are unmarried in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can establish paternity in two ways. The first route is a voluntary process that utilizes a form known as a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage. This is a document signed by both the child’s mother and father, confirming the singing male is the legal father. This form is typically presented to the

The Trials of Virtual Court

As you may or may not be aware, the Courts have made some adjustments in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Imperfect as they may be, they are made in an effort to proceed with as much normalcy and efficiency as possible. Procedures vary from Court to Court, so if you have not received specific instructions for your hearing, contact the court to determine if your matter will proceed telephonically, via Zoom, or in person. If

Divorce When Only One Partner Lives in Massachusetts

Many married couples live separately, even across state lines, for reasons which have nothing to do with the health of their marriage. However, when living across state lines from each other, couples may find their marriage at a crossroads and begin considering divorce. Perhaps distance has created serious problem in the relationship or laid bare preexisting problems. Perhaps one partner has moved away, even across state lines, as part of a trial separation. Or perhaps

Follow These 5 Steps if You’re Involved in a Serious Automobile Accident

Despite advancing technology in auto safety, millions of car accidents still result in injury. If you’re involved in an automobile accident in Massachusetts, there are several steps to protect your rights and maximize your payout. Knowing how to navigate an experience resulting in a personal injury or property damage can go a long way in helping you recoup medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. To help you prepare, here are five tips

Get the Facts About Parental Rights, Paternity Testing, and Child Support

As far as the Massachusetts courts are concerned, both mothers and fathers have legal rights and obligations when it comes to children. However, a child born to unmarried parents doesn’t automatically have a legal father. The mother is given sole legal and physical custody until paternity is established. For married couples, the husband is presumed to be the biological father and is responsible for financial obligations. As a presumed father, if you believe you are

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