Divorce and Family Law – Briones Law Group – Marlborough Divorce Lawyers and Personal Injury

Who is responsible for paying debt after a divorce?

When couples decide to divorce, they understand the assets accumulated throughout the marriage will need to be divided. Generally, both parties seek homeownership and other real estate holdings, high-value assets, and child custody during this process. However, when it comes to debt, couples are usually slow to take responsibility. No matter who is responsible for accumulating the debt in a marriage, both parties can be held accountable. Under Massachusetts divorce law, marital property is divided

Property Division During Divorce When Only One Name Is On The Deed

Just like every marriage is different, the details of every divorce are different too. Couples have numerous reasons for only having one spouse’s name on the deed of their home. If this is the case for you and your spouse, this does not mean the deed holder automatically is awarded the house. Let’s review Massachusetts marital property laws to better understand property division and how your family home will be divided. Marital property is defined

New Child Support Guidelines Issued

Changes to Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Coming in October New guidelines will make substantial alterations to how Massachusetts courts calculate how much child support is owed, effective in October. After a decade of steadily decreasing child support requirements in Massachusetts, it seems that pressure by public advocacy groups has reversed this trend. The new guidelines, which go into effect on Monday, October 4, 2021 seek to address the depreciative impact of rising medical, childcare, and

Do I have custody rights as a non-biological parent?

A non-biological, non-adoptive parent who has acted in a parental role may be considered a de facto parent. As defined by the Massachusetts courts, a de facto parent is “one who has no biological relation to the child but has participated in the child’s life as a member of the child’s family. The de facto parent resides with the child and, with the consent and encouragement of the legal parent, performs a share of caretaking

What You Need to Know About Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Divorce

As part of the divorce process, both parties are required to complete a financial disclosure. This ensures both parties have a complete picture regarding finances. The financial disclosure includes details about all assets and compensation, including and Restricted Stock Units (RSU) grants. Before understanding how RSUs are divided in a divorce, let’s review a few basics. Restricted Stock Units RSUs are one of many ways employers can provide employees with an opportunity to share in

Dividing Qualified Retirement Plans in the Aftermath of Divorce

Splitting assets during a divorce can be an arduous task. To complicate things, the division of certain retirement savings accounts requires an extra step. DRO vs. QDRO Divorce proceedings often conclude with a domestic relations order (DRO) to lay out the division of retirement assets. However, assets from a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), are covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). These types of retirement plans have stricter

Who Can Claim a Child as Dependent on Taxes After Divorce?

Divorce can be a trying life event, but add filing taxes into the mix, and most parents are running for the hills. Not to worry, by the end of this article, all of your divorce tax filing questions will be answered. Filing Status Let’s start with filing status. For couples going through the process of divorce, there are two filing options. When a divorce is pending but not finalized, the IRS still considers the couple

Get a Grip on Legal Jargon: Divorce Terms Explained

When facing divorce, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the legal jargon used throughout the process. Add this frustration to the mounting stress and heightened emotion, and you may be left making poor decisions. While our firm is here to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you have, this guide can help clarify some of the legal jargon you may encounter. Types of Divorce Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage This cause

Can I Change My Original Divorce Agreement?

Yes! Not only can you modify your divorce agreement, it is best to change it as your circumstances change. Divorce agreement modifications can address changes to child support, alimony, and custody arrangements. Either party can request a modification to reduce or increase support payments or to change parenting plan specifications. The status of your case, as well as the type of change requested, will determine how you facilitate modifications. One method is through a Complaint

Preparing For Divorce Mediation

Divorce is always a painful process. Splitting assets for its cash value is often a difficult end to a relationship that did not work out. Emotions run high, even in an amicable divorce. Being prepared is the best way to ensure both parties receive their fair share of the marital assets and debts. Listing shared properties of value, dividing properties with written evaluations by a neutral party and listing all goals for the divorce mediation

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Category: Divorce and Family Law