Divorce

Prenuptial Agreements: A Massachusetts prenuptial agreement (also known as an ante-nuptial agreement) is a contract that two people enter in contemplation of their pending marriage. The purpose of a prenuptial agreement is to pre-determine the rights of the couple and protect assets in the event of divorce. Agreements must be entered before the marriage occurs, and each side must fully and accurately disclose his/her assets before a prenuptial agreement is signed. This ensures that both parties sign this important document with full knowledge of what they get and what they give up. A prenuptial agreement normally deals with the disposition of all the parties’ assets upon divorce, including both jointly and individually owned property such as real estate, personal items, and retirement or investment accounts.

With the Massachusetts divorce rate continually rising, those contemplating marriage should consider prenuptial agreements. It is important to consult an experienced family law attorney regarding the preparation of the contract to ensure its validity and enforceability. At Mayer & Haranas LLP, our family law lawyers have the skills and experience to craft prenuptial agreements that suit the needs of every individual.

Child Custody in Massachusetts: There are two types of child custody that must be addressed by a court in the event of a divorce in Massachusetts: physical custody and legal custody. A parent with physical custody is the parent with whom a child primarily resides. Legal custody is defined as the right to participate in the decision-making process in a child’s life regarding issues related to school, health care, medical treatment, and other matters. The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court requires that divorcing parents take a mandatory parent education course. This is an educational program designed to inform parents of the impact divorce can have on children. Instructors teach parents how to address divorce with their children and suggest coping strategies to help them deal with the complexities of their separate lives as parents who still must raise their children.

Child custody and visitation issues can arise during the course of divorce, post-divorce, and in paternity cases. A divorce or paternity action can be a painful and emotional process, especially when a child is involved. Our family law and divorce attorneys are prepared to advocate for you and your family to protect your interests. Whether you need assistance negotiating a visitation/parenting schedule or you are involved in a contested custody dispute, our family law and divorce lawyers can guide you throughout the process.

Divorce Mediation: In Massachusetts, divorce mediation is increasingly popular as an alternative method to divorce litigation, and with good reason. The mediation process is cost effective and frequently results in a prompt resolution of disputes so that divorce can be finalized. Equally as important, divorce mediation can help reduce the emotional turmoil on families that is frequently associated with contested divorces. The process is commonly used to achieve a fair settlement for both sides to a dispute. Our experienced Massachusetts divorce mediation lawyers are skilled as mediators and will work with divorcing or other parties in a neutral fashion to inform you about the divorce process and help promote a negotiated resolution of disputes. Our divorce mediators are highly experienced family law attorneys who are well-versed in Massachusetts divorce law. Their insights into what you can expect during divorce proceedings are invaluable in helping you make an informed and beneficial decision on how to handle any family-related dispute.

[top]

With law offices in Framingham, Massachusetts, our divorce lawyers provide legal services to individuals and families throughout the Boston metro west and Worcester County region including Ashland, Dedham, Framingham, Franklin, Hopkinton, Maynard, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Needham, Newton, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Waltham, and Worcester, Massachusetts.