Frequently Asked Questions

The process begins with scheduling an assessment with our specialist.  Our assessments are $150 for 45minutes via zoom.  During the assessment Atty. Sousa will go over the facts of your case, your goals, and outline how we would proceed with handling the case.  What the next steps would, what would need to filed, what that would look like and an anticipated cost. 

There are many factors that go into determining custody in Massachusetts.  Generally the courts want to see a child have two parents involved in that child’s life.  However, many factors can determine why that may not be in the child’s best interest.  Some things the court’s consider are:

• Who has been the primary parent historically?  
• Who has the ability to accommodate for the child during school? 
• Who has the ability to accommodate for sleeping arrangements? 
•  Does either parent have a history of mental health? Substance use? Physical abuse? 
• How old is the child?  The older the child is, usually 14 and above, the court will give more weight to their wants and needs of who they prefer to live with or what their preference of a schedule is unless the court finds that the child is being coached. 

Every state has their own guideline or formula that is used to issue an amount that a payor will pay the payee for child support.  In Massachusetts the guidelines utilize gross income ( all income including rental income , self employment, etc), against the other parties income.  The formula is meant to change based on who has custody of the child/children.  The formula even allows for joint custody, or more rare, for there to be children living with one parent and other children having a joint schedule. Then, parties are given forms of credit for health insurance, dental, daycare, alimony, and other child support payments.  The formula then calculates a number which the court more than likely will utilize.  The court is allowed to deviate but they must have very specific reasons to do so.