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New 2017 Child Support Guidelines, a Reference Guide

Child support guidelines are some of the most important tools available to family lawyers and divorcing parents. Whether you are going to trial or negotiating an agreement outside court, child support guidelines help you to start with a clear understanding of what is expected of you as a divorcing parent.

Jonathan Fields is a family law attorney with extensive experience mediating, negotiating, arbitrating and litigating family law matters, as well as publishing and presenting on matters related to family law. In 2016 he was appointed to the Massachusetts Trial Court Child Support Guidelines Task Force. The guidelines are updated every 4 years, and this year, there are plenty of changes family law professionals and divorcing parents should be aware of, from college contributions to unreported income. Check out the reference guide for the new Child Support Guidelines, or join Mr. Fields at the Child Support Guidelines Workshop at MWI, August 22, 2017 from 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM.

Jon Fields Joins MassBar Panel on Gray Divorce

Is alimony a possibility for clients who divorce after age 65? What are the issues in guardian initiated divorces? How to tackle Medicaid planning? These were some of the topics discussed at MassBar Educates Panel, “Gray Divorce: Representing the Elderly Divorce Client”. Jon fields joined elder law attorneys Steven Cohen and Patricia Keane Martin on the panel to discuss the unique issues in representing elderly clients in divorce. With life expectancies on the rise and older people the biggest demographic for divorces, gray divorce is no longer a niche subject. Please click on the link to find out more about the event and MassBar Educates program.

Fields and Dennis LLP is pleased to welcome Vicki L. Shemin, as Partner

Fields and Dennis LLP is pleased to welcome Vicki L. Shemin, J.D., LICSW, ACSW as a new partner in our firm.

Vicki enjoys a reputation as being among the most experienced and respected family law attorneys, mediators, collaborative lawyers and parenting coordinators in the Boston area. She was named a “Top Ten Attorney in Family Law in Massachusetts” for the past 2 years, and this year has again been named “Top Rated Lawyer: Women Leaders in the Law.” Vicki brings over 37 years of professional experience as a domestic relations attorney and clinician to her new position at Fields and Dennis LLP.  Vicki has been consistently recognized for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in family law and alternative dispute resolution.

Fields and Dennis LLP has established a reputation as one of the top family law firms in the Boston area providing innovative and effective solutions to complex family problems. We were recently ranked Boston’s Top Tier Family Law Firms in US News & World Report’s Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2017 Edition. We hope our clients and colleagues will join us in welcoming Vicki and looking forward to her contribution at Fields Dennis & Cooper LLP.

Read more about Attorney Shemin’s extensive qualifications.

 

Attorney Sheryl Dennis Discusses Small Firms’ Competitive Edge in Mass Lawyers Weekly

Small and medium sized firms have a distinct advantage in today’s marketplace, according to Fields Dennis & Cooper LLP managing partner, Sheryl Dennis, who was quoted for a recent article in Massachusetts Lawyers’ Weekly. Dennis discussed the phenomenon of corporate out-sourcing from small firms, the attractiveness of flexible pricing structure, and the flight of larger firms from estate planning and probate practice.

“Wellesley attorney Sheryl J. Dennis is skeptical that big law firms will adjust to the changing marketplace, equating them to ocean-liners unable to quickly change course.”

“[…] They’re just not as agile or adaptable as a smaller firm can be.”

“Big-firm clients find her firm an attractive option not only because of lower hourly rates, but also because of the firm’s openness to alternative fee arrangements, including flat fees for certain matters, and the fact that the firm doesn’t “nickel and dime” them with additional costs for items such as photocopying.”

“We’re undercutting the downtown firms on rates,” Dennis says.

Dennis told Mass Lawyers’ Weekly that Fields Dennis & Cooper LLP is planning on adding several new hires this year, including a new partner from a big law firm. The article also discusses how small firms may be attractive places to work for talent who are looking to gain diverse experience in a more flexible role. Click here for the full article.

 

Fields and Dennis LLP Holiday Party Fundraiser Featured in Mass Lawyers Weekly

Fields Dennis & Cooper’s recent Holiday Party and Fundraiser was featured in Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly, along with a series of photos from the event featuring friends, colleagues and familiar faces from the legal community.

We’re so grateful to everyone who could attend to celebrate with us, and offer their support to K9s for Warriors, a program that provides service dogs to ex-military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Please visit K9s for Warriors  to read more about the important work they do. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2017 from all at Fields, Dennis & Cooper LLP.

Jon Fields to Attend AAML Annual Meeting in Chicago

Jon Fields looks forward to attending the AAML’s annual meeting in Chicago. This will be an event packed with educational opportunities, social events and the chance to mingle with some of the nation’s best family law practitioners. Issues of valuation, tax, retirement and demographics will be covered as part of the lecture program.  The event will be an opportunity to network with esteemed colleagues at the social events after a productive round of discussions at meetings scheduled all week.

The event runs from November 2nd-5th 2016 at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown.

Please click here to read the President’s description of the events and lectures scheduled to take place. To register, please click on the link.

Jon Fields Offers Expert Advice in “Hidden Costs of Divorce” Interview

How do you know if mediation or litigation is right for you? What are some of the ways the needs of affluent families affect the cost and planning process of divorce? What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst?

Jon Fields joins Kelli Adams, Financial Counselor, CFP®, EA to answer some of these questions in GW & Wade’s “ask the experts” interview, focusing on the hidden costs of divorce.

“If your balance sheet contains more than a few basic assets—your bank accounts, your home, your car—the cost of your divorce will probably be affected. Stock options, restricted stock, trusts, executive compensation packages, business interests: assets like these require more nuanced negotiations. You’ll want to make sure your lawyer has experience dealing in complex financial instruments.” -Jon Fields

Please click on the link to read the full interview.

Jon Fields Profiled in Boston Business Journal

The Boston Business Journal reports that Jonathan Fields, partner at Fields and Dennis LLP, has been appointed as a member of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Child Support Guidelines Task Force. The Task Force is responsible for conducting the quadrennial review of the guidelines required under federal law. A link to more info can be found here.

Essential Fall Seminar – AAML’s “Sophisticated Divorce Topics”

AAML logoaaml-eventThe Massachusetts chapter of the AAML is offering an essential Fall seminar to quickly familiarize attorneys with the topics on the AAML national exam. A mix of nationally known and locally respected faculty will teach such topics as divorce taxation; business valuation; divorce bankruptcy; interstate and international child custody and support jurisdiction; principles of custody, pensions and more. Subjects covered are also on the certification tests of many states that recognize the certified family lawyer credential.

The seminar is a fast-paced and efficient way of preparing attorneys for the difficult topics covered on the national exam. The dates to mark on your calendar are Friday, September 23rd from noon to 8pm and Saturday, September 24th from 8am to 2pm at the Back Bay Harvard Club, 374 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. The price is $395.00. Please see PDF above for more details.

Jon Fields Appointed as Member of the Child Support Guidelines Task Force

Fields and Dennis LLP is proud to announce that Jonathan E. Fields has been appointed as a member of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Child Support Guidelines Task Force. The Task Force is responsible for conducting the quadrennial review of the guidelines required under Federal law.

Jon joins the Chairperson of the Task Force, the Honorable Angela M. Ordonez, Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court Department, along with other members including representatives from the Probate and Family Court, the Department of Revenue, the domestic relations bar, and legal services organizations.

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The Boston metro family law, divorce and estate planning attorneys at the law firm of Fields and Dennis LLP are based in the Newton Wellesley area and serve the city of Newton: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Upper Falls, Newton Lower Falls, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Waban and West Newton and town of Wellesley: Babson Park, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Square Fields and Dennis also serves many clients in the Greater Boston and Massachusetts region including Ashland, Dover, Holliston, Medfield, Needham, Sherborn, Westwood, and all of Massachusetts.

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