Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC North Andover Family Law Attorney | Divorce and Child Relocation 2026-06-02T13:25:55Z https://www.boileaucarol.com/feed/atom/ WordPress On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[Making shared custody work after a parental relocation]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47999 2026-05-28T13:26:27Z 2026-06-02T13:25:55Z A custody modification can help The current custody arrangements reflect the current housing arrangements of both parents. When either parent moves a significant distance from the other's residence, the frequency of custody exchanges and the duration of parenting time for each parent may shift substantially. In some cases, the parents are still close enough for one parent to have the children all weekend. Other times, the travel time between the homes is enough to make weekly custody exchanges prohibitive. In that scenario, parents may need to use vacations from school, including summer vacation, winter break and spring break, to augment one parent's time with the children. Integrating requirements for virtual visitation through video conferencing technology could also help parents maintain a strong connection with their children. Parents can potentially work together to establish new arrangements for sharing custody over a larger distance. They can pursue an uncontested modification to accommodate the relocation. If they can't agree on the details of the new arrangement, then requesting a hearing in family court could help. Reviewing the potential impact of the proposed move on a current custody schedule with a skilled legal team can help people plan effectively for an upcoming move with or away from their children.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[Who makes medical decisions for children after a divorce?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47998 2026-05-14T13:16:20Z 2026-05-19T13:15:59Z Children count on their parents to make decisions for them about a variety of things. One of these is the medical care they need. When parents divorce, those medical decisions can become one of the primary areas of contention.  In a child custody case, legal custody is one of the terms that you’ll hear. This has to do with making decisions for the child. Those decisions include more than just medical decision-making powers. It includes education and other areas. 

How is legal custody set up?

Legal custody is either full or joint. If one parent is granted full legal custody, they can make all the decisions related to the covered areas, including medical care, without having to consult the other parent.  If joint legal custody is granted, both parents have to share the decision-making powers. This usually means that the parents have to agree on things related to medical care. In some cases, the parents can each make decisions on their own about minor medical issues, but more serious matters must be discussed.  Generally, medical decision-making powers don’t have to do with emergency medical treatments. The parent who’s with the child when a medical emergency occurs, or the one who makes it to the child first, is likely the one who will make the immediate decisions.  Legal custody is set by either the court’s child custody order or the parenting plan, but that’s all that’s included. Anyone going through a divorce involving children should learn about what terms should be set for raising the children, which may be easier if they work with someone familiar with these matters. ]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[What to know about financial disclosure in divorce]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47995 2026-04-29T06:57:21Z 2026-05-04T06:56:31Z When going through a divorce, one of the stages you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse will observe is financial disclosure. This is a mandatory rule that requires spouses to exchange comprehensive financial documents.  Financial disclosure provides transparency of the marital estate. Crucial divorce-related decisions will be made based on the information provided. Here is what to know about it:

What information should you provide?

Examples of the required documentation for financial disclosure include: 
  • Bank statements
  • Pay stubs and income details
  • Documentation related to employee benefits
  • Financial records for business owners and self-employed parties
  • Personal and business tax returns
  • Retirement account statements 
  • Brokerage/investment account statements
  • Loan applications, such as mortgages, credit card debts, car loans, student loans, personal loans etc.
  • Life insurance policy
  • A list of assets, including digital assets
You should confirm that the information and documents you have provided are accurate before filing. 

Pay close attention to your spouse’s documents

When you receive your spouse’s financial disclosure, pay close attention to every detail. Check the list of assets and debts and confirm the included values of each.  Moreover, carefully compare tax returns, W-2s, and pay stubs against the reported income, look out for large, unexplained cash withdrawals, verify the reported loans and examine business records for unusual expenses/transfer of funds, among other things. If you need further information about a certain matter, politely reach out to your spouse or their team. For instance, if you notice an asset has not been listed or an asset has been undervalued. Consider using written communication, as it’s easier to document. You should also expect your spouse to contact you.  If they do, respectfully answer their questions and document your interactions. Financial disclosure is integral to the fair division of property. Get more information about how to do it accurately and what to do when you notice discrepancies on your spouse’s documents.  ]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[Divorce in a blended family: What gets more complicated?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47994 2026-04-15T13:33:23Z 2026-04-20T13:32:47Z Divorce can be difficult for any family, but blended families often face additional layers of uncertainty. When relationships include children from prior marriages, shared households and separate financial histories, the process can feel especially overwhelming. Many people assume divorce will follow a straightforward path until questions start coming up about what belongs to whom and what arrangements make the most sense moving forward. In blended families, those questions often carry more emotional and financial weight.

Where blended family divorce can become more complex 

A blended family is formed when two people create a household together, each bringing one or more children from previous relationships. These families may include children who are close in age or years apart, and some couples may also have children together. While many blended families thrive, if the relationship ends, divorce can introduce a unique set of legal and emotional challenges. One of the biggest issues in a blended family divorce is often the financial picture. A couple may be managing joint accounts and shared expenses while also dealing with child support, spousal support or other obligations from previous relationships. Any divorce settlement must also take into account ongoing financial commitments, including existing support obligations, to ensure that the outcome is balanced and realistic for both parties moving forward. Children can also create added challenges, especially when one spouse has helped raise stepchildren or taken on a parenting role without having formal legal rights. While emotional bonds may be very strong, the law does not always treat a stepparent the same as a biological or adoptive parent. In some cases, a stepparent who has played a meaningful role in a child’s life may seek continued contact, and working cooperatively with the child’s biological parents can help preserve those important relationships after the divorce. Additionally, assets brought into the marriage can raise another set of concerns. Inherited property, family businesses and savings built before the relationship may not always be handled the same way as property acquired during the marriage. However, if those assets were mixed with marital funds or used for the benefit of the household, the line between separate and shared property may become harder to define. When a blended family is involved, divorce is rarely just about ending a marriage. It is often about protecting your financial future, preserving important family relationships and making thoughtful decisions during a stressful time. Speaking with an experienced legal professional can help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[How do you buy out a spouse’s share of a business?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47992 2026-04-09T10:33:27Z 2026-04-14T10:32:50Z If you are a business owner going through a divorce, you might worry about your company's future. In Massachusetts, the court usually treats a business as a marital asset. This means the court must divide it equitably, but not always 50/50. If you want to buy out your spouse, you must follow a series of steps to gain full ownership.

How do you value a business in Massachusetts?

Before you buy out your spouse's interest, you must determine the business's value. In Massachusetts, courts have significant flexibility. Judges often look at the business value as of the trial date. However, they can choose a different date, such as the date of separation. They do this if it more fairly reflects when the marital partnership ended. Experts use three main methods to find this number: Market approach: Compare your company to similar businesses that recently sold Income approach: Calculate the value based on your future expected profits Asset approach: Add up the value of everything the business owns and subtract its debts Choosing the right method ensures no one overcharges. A neutral appraiser can help prevent long-term disputes over the final price tag.

Can you trade other assets instead of paying cash?

Yes. A very common strategy in Massachusetts is asset offset. If you do not have the cash to buy your spouse out, you can give them a larger share of other marital property instead. For example, your spouse's share of the business may be worth $200,000. Instead of writing a check, you might let them keep full equity in the family home. You could also give them a larger share of a 401(k) retirement account.

What if you cannot afford to pay everything at once?

If you lack enough assets to trade, you can set up a structured buyout. In this setup, you and your spouse sign a promissory note. Keep in mind that if you do not specify an interest rate in writing, the law may apply a default rate of 6%. A structured buyout allows the business's cash flow to fund the transition over time.

Why do you need a family law attorney?

Handling a buyout alone is risky. Small paperwork errors can lead to major financial losses or future lawsuits. A skilled attorney ensures your settlement agreement is legally binding and protects your right to run the business without interference.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[What if your child refuses to follow the custody schedule?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47966 2026-04-01T13:47:26Z 2026-04-06T13:46:34Z Why refusal happens and why it matters Your child may resist the schedule for several reasons. Younger children may struggle with transitions between homes. Older children may assert stronger preferences or resist changes more directly. What may seem like a one-time reaction can develop into a pattern. Repeated refusal can affect routines, expectations and the overall balance between households. Understanding what drives the behavior can help you respond before it becomes difficult to manage.

Your obligation to follow the order

A custody order remains binding even if your child refuses to go. You are still expected to encourage compliance and support the schedule. If you allow repeated refusal, even passively, it may raise concerns about noncompliance. What matters is not just what your child does, but how you respond and whether you make consistent efforts to follow the agreement. In some cases, ongoing noncompliance may lead to enforcement actions, including make-up parenting time or changes to the order.

What you can do in the moment

How you handle a refusal can shape what follows. A measured response tends to carry more weight than a reactive one. You should consider the following:
  • Encourage your child to follow the schedule without escalating the situation
  • Avoid physical force, which can create additional issues
  • Keep a clear, factual record of what occurred and how you responded
  • Communicate with the other parent in a neutral, solution-focused way
Occasional flexibility may help defuse a difficult moment, but repeated deviations can begin to undermine the structure of the arrangement.

When refusal becomes a pattern

If your child’s refusal happens more than once, the situation may be shifting from an isolated issue to an ongoing pattern. Over time, that pattern can affect your child’s routine and your ability to follow the order as written. At that point, informal adjustments may no longer be enough. You are still expected to support the schedule, but it may be necessary to evaluate whether the current arrangement reflects what is realistically workable.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[What is the difference between legal and physical custody?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47990 2026-04-09T20:02:57Z 2026-03-24T09:10:55Z Parents going through a divorce or separation often hear the terms "legal custody" and "physical custody" but may not know what each one means. In New Hampshire, courts use different words for these ideas. They call them decision-making responsibility and residential responsibility. Knowing the difference can help you plan for your child's future.

Legal custody explained

Legal custody gives a parent the right to make major choices about a child's life, such as decisions about school, medical care and religion. In New Hampshire, this is called decision-making responsibility. State law presumes that parents should share this responsibility jointly unless evidence of abuse or other factors suggests otherwise. When both parents share decision-making, they must consult each other before making major choices. Day-to-day decisions are handled by whichever parent the child is with at the time.

Physical custody explained

Physical custody determines where the child lives and who handles daily care. In New Hampshire, courts call this residential responsibility. As of 2025, state law presumes that approximately equal parenting time is in the child's best interest. A court must explain its reasoning if it orders a different arrangement.

Joint versus sole arrangements

New Hampshire courts generally favor shared decision-making when both parents can cooperate. Parents who want to set up or change custody terms can file a parenting petition with the family division of the circuit court. How parents divide residential time depends on work schedules, how far apart they live and where the child goes to school.

Why understanding both types of custody matters

Every custody case in New Hampshire requires a parenting plan that spells out both decision-making responsibility and residential responsibility. State law prohibits labeling either parent as the "primary" residential parent in the plan. Parents who agree on terms can submit a joint plan. Those who cannot agree may go through mediation or have a judge decide. Knowing how these two types of custody work separately gives you a clearer starting point for building an arrangement that fits your child's needs and your family's situation.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[Should you inform your child’s school that you are divorcing?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47958 2026-03-04T09:25:04Z 2026-03-09T08:24:03Z Getting a divorce when you are the parent of minor children can be complicated. It is easy to get so focused on the big decisions, such as how you will split custody and what happens to the family home, that smaller issues can be overlooked until the last moment. One of these is whether or not to tell your children’s school that you are divorcing. Here are some things to consider:

Schools need at least some information

As an absolute minimum, you need to ensure the school has your updated contact details so they can get in touch with you when needed. If correspondence, such as school reports or notices of upcoming events, previously went to just one parent’s email, it is wise to ask the school to email things to both parents going forward. This reduces the potential for friction over messages that are not passed on or are miscommunicated.

Teachers often like to know

It can be challenging for the teacher to understand why a child is behaving in a certain way. That knowledge can provide context if a child's grades suddenly drop or they don't seem to be communicating in class as often. If you let the teacher know about this huge change to your child’s life, it gives them vital information to interpret what they see in front of them. It’s probably more crucial that you do this for younger children, but it can still make a lot of sense when a child is older. You might, however, want to discuss it with your child first, as some might be annoyed to learn you told the school without consulting them first. Getting experienced legal guidance to handle the prominent issues of your divorce can leave you with more brain space to deal with the minor issues that might otherwise get overlooked if you try to do it all yourself.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[3 things to consider when asking for a divorce]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47955 2026-02-18T08:43:08Z 2026-02-23T08:42:29Z There are few conversations in life as challenging as that where you tell your spouse you want to divorce them. It’s important to plan how you plan to go about breaking the news to minimize the potential for problems.  Here are some things to think about as you approach this all-important conversation.

1. When would be a good time?

This is not going to be a quick or easy conversation, so don't initiate it when your spouse is on their way out the door or you need to be somewhere else half an hour later. Consider what you, your spouse and any of your children have scheduled in the coming weeks. Telling your spouse you are divorcing them just before they have a job interview would be unfair. Doing so when your daughter is about to arrive home from a year away at college could make for an uncomfortable dynamic for everybody. 

2. What happens after?

You might not feel like being in the same house the night after you tell your spouse. It may be wise to ask a friend or family member in advance if it will be all right to stay with them for a night or two. At the very least, think about how you could give your spouse (and yourself) some space in the house, whether that means moving to a separate bedroom or something else.

3. Do I have the information I need?

During that initial conversation, you do not need to have all the answers about how you expect the divorce to work or what you want. However, arming yourself with at least some information can be helpful. For one, it can give you perspective so you don’t get overly worried about something your spouse might say in anger, especially if they're prone to making threats. Many people obtain legal guidance before they have a conversation about divorce. If you haven't already sought more information, it may be time.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Meridith A. Gregory, LLC <![CDATA[Can your spouse claim future inheritance during divorce?]]> https://www.boileaucarol.com/?p=47947 2026-02-09T06:41:28Z 2026-02-12T06:40:25Z Divorce creates many questions about your financial future. In Massachusetts, one of the most complex topics is inheritance. Whether you have already received money from a relative or expect to get it later, the law in this state is unique. Understanding these rules helps you protect your interests.

How Massachusetts law views your property

Most states only divide marital property—things you bought during the marriage. Massachusetts is different. Massachusetts follows an all-property approach. Under the law, a judge has the power to look at every asset you own, no matter when or how you got it. This includes inheritances. If you received an inheritance during the marriage, the court treats it as part of the total pot of assets. A judge might let you keep it if the marriage was short. However, they can also give a portion of it to your spouse. This process ensures the final split is equitable.

Can a spouse take money you haven't received yet?

If your relative is still alive, people usually call a future inheritance a mere expectancy. Because you don't own the money yet, the judge cannot physically divide it or give a piece of it to your spouse today. However, even a future inheritance can change your divorce outcome. Massachusetts judges must consider each person's future opportunity to acquire capital assets. If you are likely to inherit a large sum of money soon, the judge may decide you need less of the current marital property. For example, the judge might give your spouse a larger share of the family home because they know you will be financially secure later due to your inheritance.

Why professional help matters

Because Massachusetts law grants judges broad power over all types of property, these cases involve many gray areas. Small details about your family's wealth can change how a judge divides your bank accounts and home equity. Speaking with a family law attorney is the best way to ensure your future is protected.]]>