The first step in evicting any Massachusetts tenant is issuing a notice to quit which is a legal document formally notifying the tenant that his tenancy is being terminated for a particular reason and giving him the date upon which he must move out. There are very...
Many people worry about their Massachusetts divorce and credit card debt specifically how that debt is divided following a Massachusetts divorce and they fear being held responsible for the wild spending of their spouse. The general rule in an equitable division state...
Immigration issues have long occupied the thoughts of Massachusett's family law attorneys. When clients are immigrants or have immigrant spouses who aren't U.S. citizens, they may face some unexpected hurdles as they navigate the court system. Immigration issues arise...
Landlords in Massachusetts may be obligated to modify their "no pets" policies to allow a resident to keep an animal that does not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of "service animal." This post will clarify the status of other types of...
A common question for tenants facing eviction in Massachusetts is whether an eviction will show on a credit report. Tenants, understandably, are concerned about whether such cases will become a public record and be accessible by others. According to the credit...
In December 2016, the recreational use of marijuana became legal in Massachusetts. The new law will affect the legal relationship between landlords and tenants and will likely result in disputes as to what can and cannot be done with respect to cultivating, growing...
The "right of first refusal" in Massachusetts family law cases is a court ordered right between the parents, that provides "Parent A" the option to care for a child during "Parent B's" designated time, when "Parent A" is otherwise unavailable. This means the child is...
A guardian ad litem provides information and assistance to courts in disputes relating to family or probate matters. Three main categories of guardian ad litem exist in Massachusetts: an investigator, an evaluator and a "next friend." The court appoints an...
When one or both spouses in Massachusetts come to the realization that a divorce is necessary, the last thing either party wants is a time-consuming court process, especially if one or both spouses is looking to remarry. In Massachusetts, the law requires certain...
Pre-trial divorce conferences in Massachusetts are much less intimidating than they sound. They provide you and your spouse with a chance to settle your case and afford you an invaluable glimpse into how the judge will rule if you go to trial. Pre-trial conferences...