When issuing custody decisions, Massachusetts probate and family court judges are required to decide what is in the best interests of the child. This standard gives the judge broad discretion when issuing custody decisions. A common question parents ask is, will a judge listen to what my child has t…

Telling your spouse that you want a divorce is stressful. Putting off telling your spouse is easy. Summoning the courage to tell your spouse you want a divorce is difficult and how it is done sets the tone for the divorce proceedings. Once you have made the decision that you want a divorce, the foll…

Abuse Prevention orders (209A) have serious impacts on divorce proceedings. A 209A is a civil protective order requested by one party against another pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209A. A violation of a 209A is a criminal offense. Once a 209A is ordered, vacating a 209A order is no small feat. Ma…

It is customary in Islam that parties negotiate a mahr. A mahr is a payment from the groom to the bride at the time of the marriage and becomes the bride’s property. During a divorce, does Massachusetts have the authority to enforce the mahr? A recent case was heard surrounding the cou…

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.” [1] A decline in a person’s mental health can be triggered by major life events (i.e. birth, death, divorce, job(s), etc.). When going through…