Legal Blog - Children

While home DNA tests are legal in Massachusetts, they are not admissible in court. DNA testing is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209C. The statute states that for a DNA test to be admissible in Court, it must be completed by a laboratory approved by an accreditation body designated b…

Parents going through a divorce have a lot on their plate. They find themselves with additional responsibilities previously delegated to the other parent. One of these responsibilities is monitoring their child’s online activities and protect your children from internet spam. It is extremely time …

Is that Really Your Child’s Name?- Remember the last time you met someone and you had to do a double take because you were not sure what the person said there name was? This happens to almost every person I introduce myself to. Fortunately for me people think I said my last name, but some ……

Teen Depression – Divorce influences not only the divorcees, but their children. Not only are children expected to understand why their parents are splitting up, but they often feel pressured to choose a side. During this period of instability children may slip into depression and parents, con…

Spanking in Massachusetts is not illegal, but is highly controversial. It is a topic that cohabiting parents do not like to talk publicly about and can lead separated parents filing reports with the Department of Children and Family Services. Each Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge has a d…

Parents that are going through a divorce are justifiably filled with a lot of emotions. Not only do they have everything on their plate that they previously had, but now they have to deal with a divorce. Childrens’ feelings can easily take a lower priority than your own. All parents going through …

Technology That Helps Joint Custody Do you or someone you know have joint physical custody or visitations of a child? If you fall into this category, then you know that communication is important to joint physical custody. A misunderstanding as to the pickup time or location is not only inconvenient…

There are a growing and large group of activists called “intactivists” that are lobbying to end circumcision. The inactivists believe that circumcision is wrong and it is their mandate to protect generations of baby boys from the knife. The activists’ argue that It has no health-related benefi…

Parental Alienation is defined as one parent turning a child against the other parent. The issue comes up frequently in divorces and can destroy a parent’s relationship with the children. A court’s determination of the parenting schedule takes into account claims of parental alienation. Mental h…

Modifications to child support  – The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court has continuing jurisdiction over child-related matters. This includes child support. A court order that was issued during the Complaint for Divorce may need to be modified. Some of the reasons that a parent may need …