Experienced Plymouth and Cape Cod Lawyers for Modification and Enforcement of Existing Court Orders
Once all the issues in your divorce have been resolved or litigated, the settlement or judge's ruling will be placed in a "Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage."
Each of the Probate and Family Court judges in Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable County recognize that circumstances change over time. There may be a need to go back to court. The attorneys at The Massachusetts Family Law Group help men and women, married or never married, seek post-judgment matters relating to:
Child support and alimony modification : If your economic circumstances change you need to revisit the issue of child support. If you lose your job, if you get a pay cut, if your business is not doing very well, NOW is the time to seek a support modification. If you don't take action, the current order will continue.
Modification of custody or the parenting plan : Your child's changing needs, or a former parent's demonstration that they are unfit to parent your child may warrant a change in custody or the parenting plan. Has the non-custodial parent consistently missed parenting time as described in your parenting plan?
Why It Is Important to Follow Procedure
Our attorneys often see people who have run into trouble because they attempted to work out an informal agreement with his or her former spouse. Working outside the system leaves you vulnerable to false charges of non-payment, allegations of contempt, sanctions and attorneys' fees awarded by the court. Verbal agreements are not upheld in court, and you should always formalize any agreement by taking your case back to court.
Brockton, Plymouth, New Bedford & Fall River, Massachusetts Contempt and Enforcement Attorneys
At the time of your divorce, child support, custody and visitation, and alimony orders were finalized by the court. From that point forward, both you and your spouse were legally obligated to follow the court's order.
Unfortunately, that does not always translate into funds being transferred into your account or a check arriving in the mail on time. One parent may withhold visitation, or the other parent may continually bring your son or daughter home hours past the agreed-to time. In other instances, you may even encounter problems getting a piece of property turned over or your retirement account divided at the proper time. In cases like these, our lawyers will file (or rebut and oppose) contempt charges on your behalf and gather the documentation required to prove your case in court.
Local Knowledge, Local Courts
At The Massachusetts Family Law Group, we serve the needs of men and women throughout the Greater Boston area. One of the advantages of working with us is our local offices and convenient satellite conference centers throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. Rather than having one central location in downtown Boston, our offices are located right near the local Probate and Family Courts.
Since each court has its own separate and individual way of doing things, our attorneys know – not just Massachusetts family law – but the way the specific Probate and Family Courts (like the ones in Plymouth, Bristol, or Barnstable County) handle procedures and case-related matters. For example, some judges may place great emphasis on getting input from older children on parenting plan modifications; other judges may be upset if you bring your children to court.
For a no-obligation consultation with one of our South Shore and Cape Cod attorneys, call (800) 299-DIVORCE or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
