5 Tips on How To Evict Someone

During my years as a Boston area real estate lawyer, I’ve worked with many landlords, both residential and commercial. When you have a non-paying tenant, it is a miserable situation.   There is a lot to consider, but remember these five fundamental points as you address your options.   Of course, it is a good…

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MBA Family Law Conference

Medfield divorce lawyer and mediator Stephen McDonough attended the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 24th Annual Family Law Conference October 17-18, 2014. The conference was held at the Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod. Topics discussed included advanced issues such as: MA Child Support Massachusetts Alimony, including a review of recent appellate alimony cases Covering college expenses, and the interaction…

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The Psychological Impact of Divorce

On October 8, 2014 Norfolk, MA divorce mediator and lawyer Stephen McDonough from Next Phase Legal LLC attended a seminar hosted by the MA Council on Family Mediation.  The seminar, Exploring the Psychological Impact of Divorce, included information about: How our central nervous system reacts to stress Depression Anxiety Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms & Referring Clients…

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Children & Entertainment Contracts

Does your child long to perform on the stage or big screen?  Or any screen for that matter?  In Massachusetts, an increase in film production over the last few years may provide more opportunities for young stars, but what about the rights of minors when working in the entertainment industry? Stories of children in the entertainment…

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Discover Medfield Day 2014!

Medfield Day Details The 2014 Medfield Day is Saturday, September 20th.  The Festivities kick off at 9:00 a.m. and run throughout the day until 3:00 pm, although the children’s area remains open until 4 p.m.  This year marks the 35th Medfield Day! Medfield Day is held on North Street and winds around onto Frairy St, right at Meetinghouse…

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Grandparent Visitation Rights in Massachusetts

Family Status A grandparent’s rights to visit their grandchild are limited in Massachusetts.  If the parents of a minor child are married and living together, the grandparents do not have any rights to visitation. Grandparents do have the right to seek reasonable visitation “upon a written finding that such rights would be in the best interests of the minor…

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Market Basket News – The Legal Battle

Market Basket news dominated Massachusetts headlines in 2014.   It also provides a magnificent example of how NOT to resolve a business dispute. A long-lasting clash in the public’s eye is not a good thing for any business. A boardroom battle was transformed into a public spectacle with employees and vendors going on strike in support of…

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Limited Assistance Representation

Hiring a lawyer that meets the standards to represent you in a limited fashion through the LAR program may be your best choice. Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) is also referred to unbundled legal services.  Under the LAR model, a lawyer assists the client with specific parts of the case, without providing the traditional full representation.  With limited assistance representation,…

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Massachusetts Divorce FAQs

Whew!  Are you feeling overwhelmed?  If you are thinking about divorce in Massachusetts, it is understandable that you have plenty of questions. Many couples find divorce mediation less expensive, less stressful, and a pathway to more cooperative parenting after the dust settles. We’ve compiled some frequently asked questions about (you guessed it!) divorce mediation in Massachusetts.  Of…

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Benefits of Divorce Mediation for Children

  Medway Divorce Mediator on How Mediation Benefits Your Kids Even if you were not successful in your marriage, you can decide to be successful with your Massachusetts divorce.  This may sound strange, but it is something couples choose to do all of the time, whether they live in Medway, Medfield, or Millis, MA. This decision is…

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