Resources

The Divorce Process in Massachusetts
This comprehensive guide provides answers to some frequently asked questions you may have about the divorce process in Massachusetts.
READ MORE

Uncontested Divorce Hearings in Massachusetts: What to Expect
Here’s what you can expect at a final uncontested divorce hearing.
READ MORE

Why Choose Divorce Mediation Rather Than Litigation in Massachusetts?
In this guide, we describe alternatives to litigation such as private mediation, conciliation, arbitration, dispute intervention, and collaborative law.
READ MORE

Guide to Modifications of Divorce & Family Law Decisions
When can I modify my prior order or judgment? Read this guide to learn more.
READ MORE

Alimony Modifications in Massachusetts under the New Alimony Reform Act
The Alimony Reform Act of 2011 became effective on March 1, 2012. Read the article written by Cynthia Grover Hastings, Peter J. Jamieson, and Kristen E. Lipschutz, and published in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (May 28, 2012) to learn more about modifying your existing alimony order.
READ MORE

When to File a Complaint for Contempt
What happens if one party fails to comply with a judgment or order? Read this article to learn more about the process of a contempt action.
READ MORE

Letting Down Their Guard: What Guardians Ad Litem Should Know About Domestic Violence in Child Custody Disputes
All too often, domestic violence pervades child custody disputes. Children who are exposed to domestic violence frequently suffer long-term negative consequences. Read this article to learn more about the historical use of Guardians ad Litem and the connections between domestic violence and child custody disputes.
READ MORE

What Will Be: Making Tax, Trust, and Estate Planning Choices
This article describes how to protect your assets in the most advantageous way for your family once you’re divorced.
READ MORE

How are Inheritances Handled in a Massachusetts Divorce?
Read this article to learn more about how the Court treats inheritances and future “expectancies.”
READ MORE

The 2013 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines
The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court considers the Child Support Guidelines to be the “presumed” way of calculating child support orders. Download the PDF.

Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
Judges, attorneys, and parties use this form to help calculate the amount of child support to be paid. Download the form.

Supplemental Rule 401 Financial Statements
In any case involving finances, the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court requires each party to complete a Supplemental Rule 401 Financial Statement, describing their income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

• Download the short form financial statement.
• Download the long form financial statement.

The Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act of 2012
In 2012, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted significant alimony reform. The law on alimony in Massachusetts is still evolving with more and more appeal decisions, but this law forms the basis of an initial alimony order and modification of an existing alimony order.

• Read the Act of 2012