Assisting you Through the Child Support Calculations

Massachusetts law has child support guidelines that are determined by the Chief Justice of Probate and Family Court and uses a support formula that is intended to be impartial. The formula takes into account both parents’ earnings, medical expenses, child care and education expenses, and the custody of the children.

But this formula is not always foolproof and there are instances in which the guidelines don’t apply. Sometimes, the court may deviate from the guidelines, for instance if the parties have a nontraditional custody arrangement, or if one parent is purposefully underemployed or earning less than his or her potential. Understanding the intricacies of the guidelines and their proper application can make all the difference in a child support matter.

I have spent years working with the child support guidelines and can help you calculate the appropriate amount of support and pursue a deviation from the guidelines when necessary.

Assessing Whether Spousal Maintenance is Appropriate

Spousal maintenance or alimony is financial support ordered to be paid from one spouse to the other. Spousal support is based solely on need. Sometimes in the beginning stages of a divorce a client may want to forego spousal support and just get the divorce over with. This can have serious ramifications down the road. I will outline your options for you. We can have a clear-headed discussion about your future and whether spousal maintenance is appropriate.

Factors that courts consider in awarding spousal maintained include:

• The length of the marriage
• The conduct of the parties during the marriage
• The age of the parties
• The health of the parties
• The amount and sources of income of the parties
• Vocational skills and employability of the parties

Key Practice Areas

• Divorce
• Mediation
• Collaborative Law
• Child Custody & Visitation
• Child Support & Alimony
• Division of Assets
• Modifications & Contempts
• Juvenile Guardianships
• Juvenile Law / Abuse & Neglect
• Paternity