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Milford Divorce Lawyer
Why Choose Our Milford Divorce Lawyer?
Divorce is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be a drawn-out, stressful experience. Working with an experienced Milford divorce lawyer can make the process less daunting and give you time to focus on the future ahead.
A lawyer will handle the divorce proceedings and help ensure that you get your fair share in the divorce.
Preparing For Divorce
No one goes into a marriage planning to get divorced, but unfortunately, 50% of marriages do end this way. If you and your spouse have made the decision to divorce or are facing divorce proceedings, here’s how you can prepare for the road ahead:
- First, do your research to understand how the divorce process works.
- Second, gather and organize your financial documents.
- Don’t panic and reach out to friends and family for support.
- Find an experienced lawyer.
Do I Need A Divorce Lawyer?
While you are not required to have a divorce lawyer, it is in your best interest to hire one. Divorces are complex and emotional. If you and your spouse can’t agree on most issues, the process will be even more stressful and emotional.
A divorce attorney can help fan the flames. When both parties have their own legal representation, emotions can be checked at the door (to some extent), and both parties can work to come to an agreement that everyone feels is fair.
In an uncontested divorce, an attorney specializing in divorce mediation can help you and your spouse reach an agreement and end your marriage in an amicable way.
If you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement on anything, the court may have to make decisions about dividing your assets and child custody arrangements for you. If your divorce goes to trial, you want an experienced lawyer on your side.
The Divorce Requirements In Massachusetts
Massachusetts allows for both fault divorces and no-fault divorces. In a fault divorce, the spouse asking for divorce will need to establish the grounds for the divorce. There are several possible options, but the most common include adultery, desertion, and cruel or abusive treatment.
No-fault divorces however are a lot more common. In this case, a spouse simply needs to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This can result in either a contested or uncontested divorce depending on the other spouse’s beliefs.
Massachusetts does not have a separation requirement prior to divorce, but they do have a residency requirement, meaning that you must have lived in MA for one year in order to file for divorce.
Once you have determined the type of divorce you will be pursuing, your lawyer will walk you through each step of the divorce so that you know what to expect and information you need to prepare.
What Are The Benefits Of Mediation With A Milford Divorce Lawyer?
Mediation can help make divorce proceedings go smoothly and faster. A few of the key benefits our clients find in mediation services are:
- You can avoid going to court
- The process of mediation is often cheaper
- Both parties have a third party to help mediate key issues
- Divorce moves along much faster with mediation
If both spouses can agree to the terms of the divorce with or without the help of a mediator, it’s better for everyone involved.
Finding The Best Milford Divorce Lawyer For You
Divorce is a trying time in anyone’s life. Working with a divorce attorney requires you to divulge a lot of information about your life, marriage, relationship, assets, and debts. You need to find a lawyer that’s best suited for you.
A few ways to find the best lawyer in Milford are:
- Read through online reviews
- Ask for referrals from clients
- Sit down with multiple lawyers to find the right one
- Determine whether the lawyer offers mediation if that’s an option
If you walk into a lawyer’s office and you don’t feel comfortable with the lawyer, don’t retain their services. You should be confident in your lawyer’s ability to handle your divorce and feel comfortable working with them.
Contact us for more information on how we can help with your Milford divorce.
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I worked with Polly to update my will and create a revocable trust… The entire process went very smoothly. I highly recommend Polly Tatum and her staff. They are all very professional and friendly people.
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Elder Law
As people age, they may face different legal challenges than when they were younger.
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As your golden years approach, it may be time to consider many of the aspects of your future.
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When it comes to estate planning, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
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When you lose a loved one, the last thing you want to deal with is the legalities of their estate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Can An Estate Planning Lawyer Do For Me?
Estate planning lawyers can help you with a wide variety of legal matters, including wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration.
What Does An Elder Law Attorney Do?
An elder law attorney can help with any legal issues that come up with regard to yourself as you age or an older loved one. These issues can include things like planning how to pay for long-term care, making sure that long-term care is appropriate and that no abuse or neglect is occurring, and helping with things like trusts that can ensure our elderly loved ones are provided for.
Do I Need More Than Just A Will?
While a will can take care of some very basic aspects of your estate, like distribution of some assets and guardianship of minor children, it cannot do things like designate a trusted person to make medical or financial decisions for you if you are unable, make your wishes known as to your medical care at the end of life, or provide managed financial benefits for special needs family members, for example. A will is essential, but it is rarely enough to take care of things should you become incapacitated or die.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Attorney?
The cost of hiring an attorney depends on the type of case you have and the amount of work that is required. In most cases, we offer a consultation so that you can get an estimate of the cost of our services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
How Is Medicaid Different From Medicare?
Medicare is a government-funded insurance program that covers some or all of the costs of certain medical procedures for qualified participants (generally, the elderly or disabled). Medicare does not cover the costs of long-term care. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a government entitlement program that can cover the costs of long-term care for those who meet certain income and asset qualifications.
What If We Don’t Qualify For Medicaid?
Medicaid eligibility planning is best started long before anyone in your family needs long-term care, but even if that planning has not been done in advance, there are some ways to make eligibility more likely while still protecting the assets of a spouse who does not need long-term care, for example. Contact our office, even if you think you won’t qualify for Medicaid. We may have options to suggest.
Why Is An Estate Plan Important?
An estate plan is important because it allows you to control what happens to your property and assets after your death. Without an estate plan, the court will decide how your property is distributed, which may not be in accordance with your wishes. An estate plan can also help you avoid probate, which is a costly and time-consuming process.
Why Should I Hire The Law Office Of Polly Tatum?
The Law Office of Polly Tatum is an experienced team who is ready to help you. Our firm has a wide range of experience in estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, and divorce and elder mediation. An experienced law firm with a good track record can help you get the legal help you deserve.
How does Massachusetts estate planning address guardianship for minor children?
Parents can name a guardian for their minor children in their will. This designation becomes effective upon the parents’ death, subject to court approval. Massachusetts law outlines the process for appointing a guardian, a crucial task for ensuring that someone you trust will care for your children if you pass away.
Are there estate taxes in Massachusetts, and how can they affect my estate plan?
Massachusetts imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $1 million. The tax rate varies depending on the size of the estate. Proper estate planning, including the use of trusts and charitable donations, can help minimize estate taxes and preserve more of your wealth for your heirs.
What are health care directives and why are they necessary?
Health care directives, including living wills and healthcare proxies, are legal documents that communicate your medical care preferences if you become unable to make decisions yourself. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 201D, a health care proxy allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, aligning your medical treatment with your wishes.
Why is a power of attorney important in estate planning?
A power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Massachusetts law provides for durable power of attorney, which remains effective even if you become mentally incapacitated, ensuring that the person you designate will manage your affairs according to your wishes.
How does the probate process work in Massachusetts?
Probate, governed by the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (Chapter 190B) is the legal process of validating a will, settling debts, and distributing the deceased’s estate. The process can be simplified for smaller estates, but generally involves filing the will with the local probate court, notifying heirs and creditors, and distributing the estate according to the will or state law.
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