Bristol County Family Law Attorney

Tireless, Assertive Advocacy for Spouses and Parents in New Bedford, Plymouth, Boston, Quincy, Hingham, Norfolk Counties

Attorney Rachel M. Matos is a dedicated family lawyer who understands the sensitivity and intense emotions that surround family law disputes. Separation, high net worth divorce, and child custody disagreements are some of life's most difficult experiences. Throughout every stage of the legal process, the Law Offices of Rachel M. Matos will work with you to ensure the best outcome for your situation and family. You can rest assured that throughout you will have a zealous advocate on your side every step of the way.

Our firm handles the following areas of family law for the Bristol County community:

• High Net Worth Divorce
• Mediation
• Divorce
• Child Support
• Child Custody
• Separation
• Alimony
• Division of Assets

Getting a Divorce in Massachusetts

Any couple may file for divorce in Massachusetts if the petitioning spouse has lived in the state for at least 1 year or if the marriage ended in the state and the couple has lived in Massachusetts as a couple. Note that whether you and your spouse settle your divorce agreement on your own or before a judge in a trial, there is a mandatory 6-month waiting period before your divorce will be granted.

Some issues you can expect to resolve in a divorce, whether in mediation or in court, are:

• Property and asset division
• Child custody
• Child support
• Alimony

If you and your spouse collectively or individually own $1 million or more in assets, you should expect to pursue a high net worth divorce that could call for special considerations in the child support and alimony decision for high earners. Learn more about high net worth divorce here.

Child Support and High-Income Parents

Child support is another important family law matter that will be decided in a divorce. To determine the amount of child support the noncustodial parent must provide, the court will examine both parents’ gross incomes, which might include traditional salaries as well as pensions and Social Security benefits. Massachusetts’ child support guidelines will also take into account the child custody and parenting time arrangement. For instance, if the noncustodial parent spends less than a third of the time with the child, the court may increase the amount of child support they must provide. 

Note that child support is a particularly important issue in high net worth divorces because it requires the calculation of both parties’ incomes. If the other spouse is a high-income earner, the court may consider whether they can support their partner to maintain the same lifestyle as they were accustomed to during the marriage. Similarly, if the children went to private school, the court may order the high-income parent to continue providing reasonable support for private tuition.