While not all couples want to get married, many couples who have been together for years do want to enjoy the legal benefits of a marriage. For these partners, seeking a domestic partnership instead of a marriage may be the best option. Here’s an overview of what you should know about how to form a…
When a female couple says “I do,” the last thing they are thinking about is the day that they’ll file for divorce. At The Law Office of Heather M. Ward, our Cape Cod divorce attorney understands how challenging and emotional a divorce is, and also knows that lesbian couples may encounter unique complexities during their…
All divorces have the potential to be complicated, regardless of how long the couple’s been together, the amount of money they make, or how many children they have. One thing that can complicate a divorce, though, is the value of the couple’s assets. In a high net worth divorce, unique challenges around property division, alimony,…
When parents are divorcing or going through custody litigation in Massachusetts, there may be conflict and disagreement over with whom a shared child will live and what the visitation rights of the other parent will be. In severe cases, one parent may even revert to unhealthy and immature behaviors, such as name-calling or talking negatively…
When a couple divorces, they will need to reach an agreement about many different issues before the divorce can be finalized. One of the most contentious of these issues can be that of alimony, or spousal maintenance. Alimony is ordered by a court when one party is financially dependent on the other. There are many…
Being a victim of emotional or physical abuse can be a devastating and terrifying experience. In many cases, the best way to protect yourself if you are a victim of abuse is to first find a safe location, and second to request a protective order. Here’s what you should know about requesting a protective order…
Being a father in a custody case can be intimidating; many fathers believe that they do not have the same rights as children’s mothers. The truth is, however, that fathers do have rights in child custody cases in our state. At the Law Office of Heather M. Ward, our family law attorney can help you…
Getting divorced is something that most couples, especially those who have children together, never expect to do. For those who are getting divorced, resolving common disagreements in a divorce, such as how custody of children will be shared, can be emotional and legally complex. And for same-sex couples in Massachusetts who are parting ways, making…
At the time of a divorce, parties must agree on a divorce settlement before the dissolution can be finalized. The terms of a settlement may be something that the parties work out together or, if mediation fails, a judge will issue a court order. While the decision at the time of the divorce may seem…
Before two parties to a marriage can legally dissolve their union and truly separate from one another, they must divide their assets and property in a way that is equitable. Under Massachusetts law, all marital property is subject to equitable division. In most states, separate property is not subject to equitable division and is instead…