When parents separate and a court order related to custody and parenting time is issued, it can be difficult for everyone involved. While parents are often divided on the issue, once a judgment is issued, the law requires that parties adhere to it. However, while the adults may be willing to abide, a resistant child may put up a fight about visiting the non-custodial parent, or remaining with the custodial parent. At The Law Office of Heather M. Ward, we understand how challenging this can be. Here’s a look into what you can do if your child is refusing to attend court ordered parenting time w ..read more

One of the most sensitive and challenging issues to navigate in a divorce or separation case is that of child custody. Not only are parents often very emotionally involved, but the court will also highly scrutinize the actions of both parents when making a determination about the child’s best interests. One thing that a court will surely consider is any history of substance abuse. Here’s a look into how substance abuse can impact a child custody case in Massachusetts— Custody Considerations for a Parent with a History of Substance Abuse If a parent has a history of substance abuse and is invol ..read more

If you’re getting a divorce, strategies for protecting your personal property are no doubt on your mind. And while you may be thinking about how to keep your house or protect your retirement account, it may also be important to consider how to protect your intangible assets, including your intellectual property. At The Law Office of Heather M. Ward, our experienced Massachusetts family law attorney can help. Call today to learn more about your legal rights and how to protect your assets when separating from your spouse.  Massachusetts Property Distribution Laws When couples divorce in Mas ..read more

Being a member of the military comes with additional privileges as well as responsibilities, and may also mean that standard legal matters are handled differently from civilian cases. One such legal matter that has a somewhat unique process for military members is that of divorce. If you are seeking divorce either as a member of the military or someone who is married to a military member, working with an experienced family law attorney can help. Call Attorney Heather M. Ward today to learn more.  What’s Different Between a Military Divorce and a Civilian Divorce? While the grounds for div ..read more

Due to the proliferation of digital profiles and activity in recent years, cyberbully and spying are unfortunately common throughout family law cases. These behaviors can be exhausting to deal with, frustrating, and even have an outcome on the case. If you are experiencing cyberbullying during your Massachusetts divorce, reach out to our experienced family law attorney at The Law Office of Heather M. Ward today.  What Is Cyberbullying and How Does it Affect Divorce? Cyberbullying is the act of engaging in bullying actions using online platforms. For example, a cyberbully may use social me ..read more

Getting a divorce is a civil matter that begins when one party to a marriage files a Complaint for Divorce with the court. Like all civil matters, the filing of this complaint is followed by a requirement that the other party to the matter—i.e. the spouse—be served the summons. While most of the time this is a relatively simple process, in some cases, the spouse to be served cannot be located. If you are filing for divorce and cannot locate your spouse, service by publication may be something you need to consider. Here’s an overview of what you should know and how a divorce attorney can help ..read more

One of the most heart wrenching and contentious areas of family law is child custody. When people who do not wish to get or remain married have children in common, the court is often tasked with making a determination about with whom the children will live. Once a child custody judgment is issued, it is legally binding. In some cases, there may be grounds to appeal a child custody determination. Here’s what you should know about your rights related to an appeal, and how a Massachusetts family law attorney can help— Reasons Why You May Want to Appeal a Child Custody Decision  If you do not ..read more

Well-prepared couples often take multiple steps to prepare for marriage before saying “I do.” This might include attending pre-marital counseling, reviewing finances and making a plan for shared funds, and even entering into a prenuptial agreement in some cases. That being said, there are basic criteria that must be satisfied in order for a prenuptial agreement to be valid. To learn more about prenuptial agreements and whether yours is valid, call Attorney Heather M. Ward today.  Prenuptial Agreements: The Basics A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that basically outlines what will ..read more

When parents divorce, one of the most challenging pieces of a divorce settlement is reaching an agreement on matters related to children. Should parents be unable to agree on a custody arrangement, the court will issue one on their behalf. And in addition to child custody, a child support agreement is almost always part of a divorce settlement in a separation involving children.  Of course, each divorce has unique circumstances and, in some cases, one parent being incarcerated may be a factor that’s taken into consideration. Here’s what you should know about child support and incarceratio ..read more

When you get a divorce, you and your partner will need to make decisions about a variety of important items, which will eventually be put into your divorce settlement and be legally enforceable. In addition to addressing things like property division and child custody and support, you and your spouse will also need to consider the question of alimony. Here’s an overview of what you should know about alimony in Massachusetts, including how long an order for alimony may stay in effect— When Is Alimony Part of a Divorce Settlement? A family court in Massachusetts may order alimony in the event th ..read more