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You are here: Home / Archives for Massachusetts Family Law

Speaking Engagement at MAGAL Conference

MAGALThanks to the Massachusetts Association of Guardians Ad Litem (MAGAL) for inviting Attorney Jonathan Fields to speak at their annual conference on November 7 on high-conflict cases in litigation and mediation.  The keynote speaker, Bill Eddy, was terrific.  The title, too, was excellent– “I’m OK, You’re a X$!#@&%!!!: High-Conflict Behavior in Family Law Cases.”

Filed Under: Family Law, Firm News, Massachusetts Family Law, Massachusetts Mediation Tagged With: Child Custody, Children, Family Law, Guardian Ad Litem, litigation, MAGAL, Mediation

3 Easily Avoidable Estate Planning Mistakes

Estate planning is not a topic that many like to think about. After all, planning for our death can be a morbid way to pass the time. But, instead of thinking about the negative, it is important to remember the positive attributes of estate planning – namely, the security and future well-being of your family and loved ones.

Many are intimidated by estate planning, assuming that it is a complicated task and one they needn’t worry about if they do not have a high-net worth estate. Yet, that is untrue, and one of the primary estate planning mistakes people make.

Everyone should have an estate plan, regardless of tax bracket. And, if you have engaged in some form of estate planning, you have already managed to avoid this mistake.

Here are 3 other estate planning mistakes that you can easily avoid. Read more.

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Family Law, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Estate Plan, Estate Planning Documents, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning Tips, Will

Back-to-School Estate Planning for College Students

At the start of the summer, we shared important information for parents and grandparents with loved ones turning 18. These estate planning tips are especially important to consider as students head to college this September.

Back-to-School planning can be a whirlwind, and while this planning typically involves stocking up on bulk cases of ramen noodles and extra-long sheets, it should also include a real conversation about what it means to be eighteen and away from home (most likely, for the first time).

Your eighteen-year-old child or grandchild may be so excited to start their college experience, that they may not be aware of how their changing legal status will impact them in a variety of ways. Read more.

Filed Under: Estate Planning, General Posts, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: back to school, College, Durable Power of Attorney, Estate Planning, health care proxy, HIPAA, Must-Have Documents

Jonathan Fields Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law

Jonathan E. Fields was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ® 2015 edition in the field of Family Law. The listing is based entirely on exhaustive peer-review surveys and, according to the publisher, “is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.” A Federal Court judge praised the list as “a shorthand way of knowing a person is possessed of all the skill, the integrity, and the qualifications to serve and meet the highest ideals of a lawyer.”

Filed Under: Family Law, Firm News, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Family Law, Family Law Attorney, Massachusetts Family Law, The Best Lawyers in America

3 Ways to Financially Prepare for Divorce When Emotions are High

Divorce is a highly emotional time and when you are going through such a trying life event, practical matters may be far from your mind. But despite the emotional toll, it is important that you consider financial matters – if not for yourself, for the well-being of your loved ones. You will get through this difficult period, and once you are on the other side, you will surely want to enjoy your new life.

Asset division can make an already emotionally heightened experience even more overwhelming, but if you take it one step at a time, you will get through it and be glad that you didn’t let your finances fall by the wayside in the midst of turmoil.

Here are 3 financial tips to help you through a complex divorce. Read more.

Filed Under: Alimony, Divorce, Family Law, High-Net Worth, Marriage, Massachusetts Divorce, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Alimony, asset division, child support, complex divorce, contentious divorce, Divorce, Divorce Advice, financial planning, taxes

To Litigate, or Not to Litigate, That is the Question

If you are going through a divorce, there are many things to consider. It is a difficult time, emotions are high, and you are confronted with a number of decisions that you may not be in the best state of mind to make. Now, no two divorces will be identical, so while having a support system who has “been there” can certainly be helpful, their situation may be extremely different then yours.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a divorce, and depending on how the decision was come upon, you and your ex may be on civil terms, but other times, if the relationship ended badly, communication and compromise may be impossible concepts to wrap your mind around. Because each divorce is different, each course of action is also different. While some couples have relatively simple cases without much contention between spouses, other couples may have more complex divorces that require careful and strategic planning. Read more.

Filed Under: Divorce, Family Law, High-Net Worth, Marriage, Massachusetts Divorce, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Alimony, assets, Boston Divorce Lawyers, child support, Contemporary Marriage, Divorce, Divorce Assets, divorce litigation, Divorce Planning, Infidelity, litigation, Marriage, spousal support

Important Graduation Safety Reminder for your 2014 Graduates

Do you have a child 18+ years of age?
What happens if he/she is injured in a car accident?

Did you know that once your child/grandchild turns 18:

  • You no longer have access to his/her medical records
  • You no longer can call a hospital and see if he/she is admitted after an accident
  • You no longer can make health care decisions for him/her, should they become injured or incapacitated
  • You no longer can call a doctor’s office and make an appointment for him/her
  • You no longer can help him/her with banking
  • You no longer have access to his/her grades, and you no longer can assist your child/grandchild concerning his/her problems they may be experiencing at school
  • You no longer can call the mail order prescription service to get him/her medication

What can you do? Read more.

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Class of 2014, Estate Planning, Graduation, health care proxy, HIPAA Release, Power of Attorney

Case Law Updates from Family Mediation Quarterly, April 2014

Case Law Updates by Attorney Jonathan Fields from Family Mediation Quarterly, April 2014, including:

  • Temporary Alimony Doesn’t Count.

Read more.

Filed Under: Alimony, Divorce, Family Law, Firm News, Massachusetts Divorce, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Alimony, Case Law Updates, Divorce, Family Law, Family Mediation Quarterly, Holmes v Holmes, Marriage, MCFM

5 Estate Planning Nightmares from Around the Country

With the proper estate planning, the following situations could have been avoided. The truth is, many fail to adequately plan their estate, which can potentially lead to outcomes such as these 5 worst-case scenarios. Read more.

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Massachusetts Family Law, Medicaid, Trust

Jon Fields Presenting on Collaborative Family Law at MCLE Event

Jon Fields will be participating in a Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) program presentation on January 22, 2014 in Boston.  He will be a part of a panel presenting on Collaborative Family Law Practice.

Attorney Fields is passionate about the practice of collaborative law, which is continually gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional approaches. To learn more about the collaborative law process, the MCLE panel is a great opportunity to learn from leaders in the field who are excited to share their knowledge and experience. Read more.

Filed Under: Divorce, Family Law, Firm News, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: collaborative law, Divorce, Family Law, Fields and Dennis News, Jon Fields, MCLE

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Recent Posts

Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Second Most Read Article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

January 3, 2023

Attorney Sheryl Dennis was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly’s second most read article of the year. The article discusses the feasibility of remote work from the viewpoint of a number of major law firms in the Boston area. If you are in the office, you are much more invested in the firm and the people […]

Fields and Dennis LLP Fundraiser for K9s for Warriors

December 1, 2022

Over the years Fields and Dennis have been proud to sponsor an annual holiday fundraiser for K9s for Warriors. We will be holding another holiday fundraiser through the end of the year. K9s For Warriors is a program to reduce veteran suicide and help our warriors return to a life of dignity and independence. The […]

Here are 4 Ways Divorced Parents Can Make the Holidays Joyful for Their Children – Attorney Vicki L. Shemin’s Article Featured on Divorcemag.com

November 29, 2022

Just because you and your ex-spouse are no longer together doesn’t mean you can’t co-parent peacefully during the holiday season. There are many ways divorced parents can make the holidays memorable for their children. Read the full article on Divorcemag.com https://www.divorcemag.com/blog/here-are-4-ways-divorced-parents-can-make-the-holidays-joyful-for-their-children

Congratulations to Fields and Dennis LLP Firm members who were selected as Top Lawyers for 2022 by Boston Magazine

November 22, 2022

  Fields and Dennis LLP is proud to congratulate Sheryl Dennis, Vicki L. Shemin and Jonathan Fields on being selected as Top Lawyers for 2022 by Boston Magazine. The Boston Magazine Top Lawyers list is extensively peer-reviewed and curated to bring together the top quality attorneys in Boston, making it easier for anyone seeking an […]

Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

November 16, 2022

Attorney Sheryl Dennis was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly this week. The article discusses the feasibility of remote work from the viewpoint of a number of major law firms in the Boston area. If you are in the office, you are much more invested in the firm and the people around you. It really is […]

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    • Here are 4 Ways Divorced Parents Can Make the Holidays Joyful for Their Children – Attorney Vicki L. Shemin’s Article Featured on Divorcemag.com

    Recent Firm News & Coverage

    • Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Second Most Read Article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

    • Fields and Dennis LLP Fundraiser for K9s for Warriors

    • Here are 4 Ways Divorced Parents Can Make the Holidays Joyful for Their Children – Attorney Vicki L. Shemin’s Article Featured on Divorcemag.com

    • Congratulations to Fields and Dennis LLP Firm members who were selected as Top Lawyers for 2022 by Boston Magazine

    • Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

    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. Attorney Jonathan Fields is a recognized authority on bitcoin and divorce

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