Milford Divorce Attorney
Divorce Lawyer Serving Milford, MA
Are you headed towards divorce? Are you concerned about the future of your family, your children and what will happen to your property? At Kovacs Law, P.C. we are very familiar with the issues tied into divorce and we are intent on doing what we can to help you gain a sense of control over the situation. Divorce is known for being the second most stressful experience an adult will ever have to go through, second only to losing a child. Because of this, we want to do everything we can to inform you of your rights and responsibilities, all the while protecting your rights to a fair and just settlement. If you are seeking advice on a family law issue, a Milford divorce lawyer from our firm is here to give you honest and forthright advice about your situation, advice you can rely upon for an optimal solution.
The field of family law covers virtually anything doing with marriage or children including guardianships and establishing paternity. Establishing paternity refers to establishing who the father is of a child. Once paternity is officially determined, it allows the father to enjoy both the rights and responsibilities associated with being a father. Meaning it can give him rights to custody and/or visitation of the child, but it also makes him financially responsible for making child support payments and possibly paying for or providing health insurance coverage for the child. A father may seek to establish paternity so he can have rights to his child, whereas a mother often seeks to establish paternity so she can begin receiving child support.
Legal Separation & Divorce in Massachusetts
Are you interested in a divorce or perhaps a legal separation instead? Some couples wish to remain married but live apart; in cases such as these a legal separation is more suitable for their needs. When a couple legally separates, the same issues over debt division, asset division, property division, child custody, child support and visitation will have to be fully addressed and worked out on paper. Legal separation is very similar to a divorce; however, the couple remains legally married. Most couples choose a legal separation over a divorce for insurance reasons, medical reasons or often times religious or personal beliefs. We aren't here to judge you whatsoever; we are here to offer you the legal guidance you need no matter which path you follow.
If divorce is imminent, we are here to provide you with answers to your questions and the information you need to proceed forward. Divorce is not only a sensitive issue, but it's also a legally complex process that must be handled with due diligence and care. We will strive to work with your spouse so matters can be handled as amicably as possible; however, should your spouse be unwilling to work with you, we are prepared to go to trial should the need arise.
The state of Massachusetts is an equitable distribution state; this means that a couple's assets are divided in a fair and just manner, not necessarily 50/50 as compared to community property states. The courts will look at the duration of the marriage, they will take into consideration the property you had before the marriage, as well as property that each spouse holds separately among a number of other factors when determining how to divide the assets. Other aspects that must be addressed are whether or not spousal support is an option and of course matters regarding child custody and visitation will have to be fully addressed. All the above must be addressed whether you are in a marriage between a husband and a wife or in a same sex marriage.
Sadly, one common factor in divorce is domestic violence. If you or your children are a victim of domestic violence or if you have been accused of domestic violence, then it's important to understand that family violence, whether between partners or parents and children will most likely have an effect on the divorce process and the outcome of child custody and visitation proceedings. Because the courts don't like to see children in harm's way, this is a sensitive yet critical issue that must be handled very carefully. Whether you are the victim or the accused, we understand the implications of a domestic violence conviction and we are here to provide you with legal guidance and support during this difficult time. We can assist domestic violence victims in pursuing a protective order and we can help those accused of domestic violence in protecting their rights.
Modifications to Court Orders & Enforcement
After a divorce has been finalized, it's very common for changes to occur in either party's life. Life changes such as getting a job promotion or losing a job, or remarriage can all have an impact on standing court orders. For example, if the mother is the custodial parent and she gets a promotion in her company with a sizeable pay raise, she may need to move to another county in order to transfer and accept the job. In a case such as this she may need to petition the court in order to give her permission to relocate with the children. Either the father can go along with the relocation or he can contest it. We can help either the moving or the non-moving parent in relocation cases.
Modifications to court orders can also involve child support, spousal support and child custody and visitation. Considering the fact that peoples' lives change as the years go by, it's very normal to eventually have the need to request a modification after the divorce is finalized. For those already divorced couples whose ex-spouse isn't meeting their obligations in a court order, we can advise you on steps that we can take to enforce court orders. If you are in need of more information, we invite you to visit our FAQ page, or you can contact the Kovacs Law, P.C. directly, we are looking forward to hearing from you.
Milford Resource Links
Divorce & Family Law Information Center
Town of Milford
Map of Milford, MA