For more than 31 years, Mavrides Law has focused on the practice of family law and related matters in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm offers a full-service family law practice with an emphasis on personal service, dedicated advocacy and compassionate representation.
The final outcome of a divorce can have a significant impact on your financial and parental rights. With so much at stake, it is important that you have more... qualified legal counsel.Mavrides Law assists clients with all aspects of divorce, including uncontested divorce, contested divorce, no fault divorce and fault-based divorce. less...
After a marriage ends, all marital property is divided between the two parties. Massachusetts is an equitable division state, meaning all property more... is divided fairly between the couple. Although some people assume that an "equitable distribution" means an "equal distribution," that is not necessarily the case. Judges may distribute a greater share of marital assets to one of the spouses if the facts of a case warrant a disproportionate distribution. less...
Massachusetts law recognizes the right of parents to enjoy continued and vital relationships with their children after divorce. Absent domestic violence more... or other issues that may endanger the emotional or physical welfare of a child, Massachusetts law favors the right of both parents to enjoy meaningful relationships with their child after a marriage ends. As your advocates, Mavrides Law will work hard to protect your parental rights. less...
In Massachusetts, child support is determined by a mathematical formula known as the Child Support Guidelines. This is based on the incomes of the parents, more... cost of daycare and health-related insurances, custody arrangements and other factors. But determining the required child support amount is not simply a mechanical application of the guidelines. Without experienced and knowledgeable representation, you could end up receiving too little or paying too much child support. Mavrides Law has represented clients in matters involving child support for more than 30 years. The firm's attorneys handle child support matters in a variety of contexts, including: divorce, child support modifications, paternity, child support enforcement. less...
In Massachusetts, a judge may issue an order for temporary spousal support (alimony) during the course of a divorce. In a final divorce order, more... the court may also order either spouse to pay spousal support on a permanent basis. Both the amount and duration of a court's alimony award may vary on a case-by-case basis. The court also has a right to order that neither party shall receive alimony payments. Mavrides Law provides both focused consultation regarding your alimony issue, as well as full analysis of the impact of alimony on division of assets, debt and child support/related issues. Contact us to schedule an appointment. less...
At the time a divorce, paternity or other child-related decree is issued, the judge will issue orders regarding such matters as child custody, visitation, more... spousal support and child support. These orders will stay in place until one of the parties asks the court to modify them. When a judge issues an order, they are limited to the facts present at the time of the trial or contested hearing. While they attempt to issue an order that has a lasting effect, it is impossible for a court to anticipate every possible change that can occur in the life of a family. However, changing financial circumstances of the parties and needs of a child may necessitate the modification of an existing order. Mavrides Law has been representing clients in matters involving post-divorce modifications for more than 30 years. In many cases, the firm can obtain a modification efficiently in a relatively short amount of time. Other modification cases can be quite complex and require a significant legal effort to achieve. less...
A person who has been assaulted or threatened by a person in a statutorily defined relationship can seek a restraining order. This order places severe more... restrictions on the subject's movements and can even result in the subject being forced out of his or her residence. Whether you are seeking a restraining order or wish to prevent the imposition of a restraining order on yourself, representation by an experienced attorney is essential. Mavrides Law helps people obtain restraining orders, and also represents people wishing to prevent the imposition of a restraining order. In your case, the firm will take immediate action to protect your rights and achieve your goals. less...
Divorce does not end families; it reconstitutes them. When a marriage is deconstructed, a new-post divorce life should be reconstructed. more... The better the planning and cooperation, the smoother the transition will be. There are a few viable alternatives to resolve disputes that many divorcing couples prefer, as it gives them more control over the result because they jointly make the decisions for their families and for themselves. In Massachusetts, each of the alternatives can only achieve a successful result if the parties are willing to work with each other to compromise and create solutions and the professionals involved are adequately trained in the chosen alternative dispute resolution process. less...
Simply stated, a prenuptial agreement (also called an antenuptial agreement) identifies the separate property of each party prior to entering a marriage. more... In the event of divorce, the agreement can help the couple avoid disputes over the division of assets and debt. An agreement can also be created to protect the inheritance rights of children from a previous marriage. In terms of the marital relationship, a prenuptial agreement can strengthen a marriage by removing uncertainties regarding property division and other issues. Mavrides Law has helped numerous people protect their assets by creating prenuptial agreements custom-tailored to meet their needs. The firm can draft an agreement for you, review a proposed agreement or provide an opinion regarding the validity of an existing agreement. less...
A postnuptial Agreement is an agreement made between husband and wife during the marriage in order to resolve financial differences. more... A goal of this agreement is to restore harmony in the marital relationship. However, these documents must be carefully drafted and comply with strict legal standards which were recently identified and confirmed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in its 2010 decision. It is imperative that both parties obtain competent, experienced legal counsel to negotiate and draft the postnuptial agreement. Otherwise, the enforcement of the terms of any postnuptial agreement may not be possible. less...
Under Massachusetts law, the biological mother of a child born out of wedlock has sole custody of a child until the court rules otherwise. more... The procedure to establish fatherhood in the eyes of the law is called a paternity action. Being the parent of a child carries with it great responsibilities and certain rights. As the legal father of a child, you may be required to provide child support. You may also have custody or visitation rights, but these do not come automatically and must be granted by the court. If you have questions about your parental rights and responsibilities, an attorney at Mavrides Law can provide answers in an initial consultation. less...
If it is necessary to enforce a Separation Agreement or Court Judgment because a party has not complied with its term(s), then the other party may file more... a Complaint for Contempt. The party filing this complaint must identify a specific section of the Separation Agreement or Court Judgment, that is in effect and has been violated by the other party. Both of these processes require court intervention. To ensure that these types of legal actions are not dismissed, the facts must be weighed with the standards required for each of these actions to be maintained. If you need help enforcing a child support order or the provisions of a custody, property or visitation order, contact Mavrides Law. less...
In virtually every respect, there is no difference between the issues presented in a same sex divorce as the divorce of an opposite sex couple. more... Recently, on June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court declared section three of DOMA (Defense of Marriage act) unconstitutional. For both same-sex marriages, and same-sex divorces, federal benefits are now available to same-sex married couples. This includes filing joint tax returns and other tax benefits for married couples, as well as over 1,000 other benefits as indicated by the Court. Since the federal government recognizes same-sex marriage, the divorce process is equal for all married spouses. Property and debt must be divided. If there are any children in the marriage, issues of child custody, visitation and child support must be resolved. One party may be entitled to spousal support. Mavrides Law has been guiding people through the divorce process and resolving related issues for more than 30 years. The firm is experienced, knowledgeable and skilled at achieving solutions that enable its clients to move forward successfully after divorce. less...
