Taunton Divorce Lawyer
One Solution Does Not Fit All
Whether you are considering filing for divorce or need to respond to papers that have been served on you, our Taunton divorce lawyers can help. We offer a convenient solution that is designed to serve your best interests. We believe that your case deserves a personalized strategy that is specifically tailored to meet your needs. As such, you can rely on us to work tirelessly on your behalf to help you secure fair results.
As a boutique family law firm, we provide one-on-one service that is designed to meet your individual needs. In more than a decade of practices, we have handled a significant volume of diverse cases—experience that sets us apart. Whenever possible, we strive to resolve matters out of court. This generally means quicker and less costly solutions that are less stressful for everyone involved. At the same time, if a favorable settlement isn’t possible, we won’t hesitate to bring your case to court.
To learn more, call (508) 206-9334 or complete our online contact form. Schedule your case evaluation with our divorce attorneys in Taunton today!
Protecting Your Rights and Interests in a Divorce
Filing for divorce—regardless of the reason—can be one of the most difficult experiences of your life. At the Law Offices of Rachel M. Matos, our goal is to make the legal process as simple and efficient as possible, allowing you to focus on your future. However, because of its complexity, divorce must be approached with utmost caution. Our divorce lawyers in Taunton can guide you through the process while working to protect your rights.
Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce
- In uncontested divorces, a couple agrees to end their marriage and resolve any pending issues without going to court. This type of divorce generally takes less time, is less expensive, and is less emotionally draining.
- In contested divorces, a couple is unable to agree on the pending issues, such as the distribution of property, child support, or custody. The divorce proceeding involves the presentation of evidence and is held in a court of law before a judge, resulting in a legally binding decision.
What Issues Are Involved in Divorce?
At the Law Offices of Rachel M. Matos, our divorce lawyers in Taunton handle every aspect of our clients’ cases—no matter how simple or complex. Our goal is to help you secure a bright and stable future, so we focus on every detail when providing legal representation.
In Massachusetts, the court will consider the following issues in a divorce:
- The division of property
- Alimony and spousal support
- The allocation of debts
- The custody of minor children
- Child support
Judges Must Follow the Law in Divorce Cases
Judges are charged with many responsibilities and one of these is issuing orders during a hearing. If either party fails to comply with these orders, they can be held in contempt of court and receive penalties. Therefore, it’s important to abide by a judge order until it is amended by that same judge.
Judges are not allowed to favor certain sides or allow personal biases to impact their ruling in a divorce case or any legal matter they are asked to hear. They are also not allowed to issue a ruling based on legal requirements that are not in effect or their personal experiences with a law.
In turn, if a family court judge fails to abide by the current law, a Stafford child custody lawyer might be needed or another family law attorney to correct the judge’s actions. Judges only have the power within the statutes the law allows them and their interpretation of said laws. The law does not give judges the right to decide from scratch.
The Basics of the Divorce Process in Massachusetts
Before you begin the divorce proceedings, you should be fully informed about the process. You will also need to take necessary steps to protect yourself. Our Taunton divorce lawyers can help you get started with the process while answering any questions or concerns you may have.
Petition Stage
In Massachusetts, the spouse who is filing for divorce is formally referred to as the plaintiff, while the defendant or the spouse served the divorce petition is known as the defendant. Regarding these terms, another big mistake people make is thinking just because they did not block the presentation of a divorce case, the status of defendant would not apply. In the event of default, you will still be considered a defendant. It is better to stay well-informed about your status during divorce proceedings in the first place.
Discovery Stage
After the defendant receives the divorce complaint from his or her spouse, the discovery period of the divorce proceedings begins. The defendant must prepare an answer to the complaint and contest any claims he or she thinks are important.
The answer needs to be filed with the court and the plaintiff served with a copy of it. The plaintiff can file a rebuttal to the claims of the defendant, or respond to them. The couple is likely to work through the rebuttal process either directly, with their lawyers, or as part of the discovery process.
The Role of a Divorce Lawyer in Massachusetts
At the Law Offices of Rachel M. Matos, our divorce lawyers in Taunton provide helpful counsel about all aspects of our clients’ cases. We guide our clients through the entire legal process, keeping their best interests in focus. Throughout the duration of your case, our attorneys will provide constant updates regarding any progress that is made.
We encourage our clients to do whatever they can in their efforts to secure a favorable outcome. We understand that going through a divorce can be one of the hardest experiences you may go through, but we aim to help you confidently move on to the next chapter of your life. Our divorce lawyers proudly provide personalized representation, and we respond to all our clients’ calls and emails in a timely manner; at our firm, you are never just a case number.
What Makes a Divorce Complicated?
Divorces become especially complicated if there is ԛuestion about the prenuptial agreement or if 1 or both spouses want to request to get the agreement receded. A prenuptial agreement is a contract that uѕuаllу describes that propеrties of each ѕpouѕe and their intended plans for those properties in the event of a diѕsolution of the marriage. People can ask the court to recede a prenuptial agreement if they believe they were not fully aware of the meaning or consequences when they entered the marriage or because they genuinely forgot about the agreement.
Another reason that makes for a complicated divorce is if the spouses have children, child custody and child visitation rights have to be taken into consideration. A divorce is even more daunting when children are involved, and it ѕimplу matters of splitting the assets and organizing any diѕputes about alimony. Unlike the division of the propеrtу, which will only concern the ѕpouѕes, the соuрlе will have to continue working together on the best interests of their children after the diѕsolution of the marriage.
All mоdіficаtіоnѕ of the custody ѕсheduleѕ and calculation of child ѕоrt that саn bе made аt аnу tіmе, аnd not all changes need court approval. For thеѕе rеаsоnѕ, сuѕtоdу and caring time arbitration will be required, so do NOT hesitate to contact your foremost and reliable child custody lawyer in your South County neighborhood in any divorce, custody, and care time.
To schedule a consultation, call (508) 206-9334 or submit an online contact form. Our Taunton divorce lawyers look forward to assisting you!
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