2023-08-26 00:28
Parents and spouses are increasingly choosing to look into forms of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation. One of the primary reasons for this has to do with the perception or the… Read More
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Discover a law blog that will answer your legal questions. Learn about about alimony, child support, commercial real estate law, and more.
2023-07-06 13:46
Life insurance is a powerful tool that offers financial protection and peace of mind for you and your loved ones. However, navigating through the various policy options can be overwhelming… Read More
2023-06-02 13:32
Divorce can be an emotionally challenging time for all parties involved, especially when children are part of the equation. As parents, your primary concern should always be the well-being a… Read More
2023-04-20 18:00
When you decide to end a marriage in Massachusetts, spouses may be able to avoid some of the typical downsides of court by pursuing an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce may resolve… Read More
2023-03-23 16:00
Getting divorced is an emotional and difficult experience for most people, but going through the court system adds another layer of complexity, and the increased legal fees that go along wit… Read More
2022-05-16 18:18
About every four years, Massachusetts and other states are required by federal law to review their state child support guidelines. In Massachusetts, this responsibility is fulfilled by the C… Read More
2022-05-02 20:43
If you are a parent that has recently divorced or separated, odds are you will eventually start dating again. Some of you may have started dating a little on the early side, possibly l… Read More
2021-09-30 19:15
Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC, a divorce and family law firm inNorfolk, MA, is pleased to have won the Silver Medal Award in the “divorce lawyer” catego… Read More
2021-09-07 19:24
If you live in Mansfield, Attleboro, Easton, and other communities in Bristol County, it’s easier than ever to meet with us in-person Read More
2021-07-27 14:00
On July 8, 2021 Chief Justice John Casey of the MA Probate and Family Courts announced a suspension to the requirement for divorcing parents to complete the mandatory parent education progra… Read More
2020-10-26 16:16
Note: This is a guest post by Ms. Lydia Chan. Lydia is a caregiver of a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease. If you are the caretaker of an aging parent or grandparent, the question… Read More
2020-06-25 18:32
June 11, 2020: Before the era of Covid-19 (the good old days), the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court required that parents of children under 18 registers for a Parent Education Program… Read More
2020-03-22 16:28
Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC of Norfolk, MA (and now several other locations!) remains ready to assist current and new clients. All meetings, including mediation sessions… Read More
2020-03-22 16:28
Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC of Norfolk, MA (and now several other locations!) remains ready to assist current and new clients. All meetings, including mediation sessions… Read More
2019-11-20 22:23
Bullying is, unfortunately, nothing new but it is receiving more attention than in past generations. If you are the parent of a Massachusetts student being bullied, you should understand you… Read More
2019-11-20 22:23
Bullying is, unfortunately, nothing new but it is receiving more attention than in past generations. If you are the parent of a Massachusetts student being bullied, you should understand you… Read More
2019-06-01 00:47
Parenting is challenging under the best of circumstances. Dealing with ongoing stress and conflict over issues related to your child’s schooling without someone on your side is more di… Read More
2018-06-21 03:06
Simplified Worksheet and Fixing Bugs Highlight June 2018 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Update
On June 15, 2018, new Massachusetts child support guidelines went into effect. Not quit… Read More
2017-09-03 07:00
New child support guidelines go into effect in Massachusets on September 15, 2017.
The new guidelines make some important changes, including how medical and childcare expenses are co… Read More
2017-08-27 07:00
Next Phase Legal LLC is pleased to announce that we have established a second meeting location in Mansfield, MA. Mansfield is located in Bristol County, and is bordered by the towns of… Read More
2017-05-27 16:49
The Massachusetts Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section hosted their first Dispute Resolution Symposium at UMASS Boston on Friday, May 19, 2017. Titled Conflict Resoluti… Read More
2017-05-23 02:28
The Massachusetts Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section hosted their first Dispute Resolution Symposium at UMASS Boston on Friday, May 19, 2017. Titled Conflict Resolution: Advancements… Read More
2017-04-26 20:11
Have you ever stopped to think how child custody, support, or property division could be effected by social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and various dating we… Read More
2017-04-26 17:05
Have you ever stopped to think how child custody, support, or property division could be affected by social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, an… Read More
2016-10-25 21:36
Solve your family business issues without going courtMediation is often considered an excellent means of conflict resolution for personal or family disputes, but the benefits of mediation ex… Read More
2016-10-12 18:38
Your divorce doesn’t have to be a fight.If you get divorced in Massachusetts, there are different types of divorces that are available to you, with each following a different path as i… Read More
2016-09-13 21:01
Use conciliation to help you move on in your lifeThe conciliation process can be an invaluable tool to reduce intractable conflict in cases where obstacles prevent out of court settlements a… Read More
2016-09-06 21:19
Adultery, believe it or not, is still a crime in MassachusettsIn more than 20 US states, including Massachusetts, adultery is a crime. It may seem archaic, but these are still active laws on… Read More
2016-09-06 21:00
Who will get Fido in the divorce?When you think of custody battles between divorcing spouses, you might assume their fight is over the children. However, in some situations, the disagr… Read More
2016-08-18 22:20
Just call, and we’ll be there. Like James Taylor.When it comes to legal help, not everyone wants the same amount of assistance. You may have the time and talent to do a lot of the work… Read More
2016-08-11 22:48
Learn about some fun activities to do with your kids to get you both through the end of summerNow, don’t get me wrong. I love my son. I love spending time with him—bi… Read More
2016-07-28 18:32
We help bring all parties to the tableWe’re proud to introduce our civil alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice area and our experienced panel of neutrals. ADR can be extre… Read More
2016-06-29 22:34
There are ways to challenge a will in MassachusettsChallenging a will is meant to be a serious and in depth process, because when a person signs a will, they mean it to stand as the last ins… Read More
2016-06-23 21:23
Maybe you don’t want your divorce to be this public…After a divorce, you may not want the whole world to know about it. So are your divorce records public?
The majority of recor… Read More
2016-06-09 16:18
Prenuptial agreements can be a source of contention between a couple before they tie the knot. In the event the couple splits up, who gets the house? The money? The gardener?
Yes, as pr… Read More
2016-05-26 18:44
Divorce isn’t the only option when it comes to ending a marriage.Sometimes a marriage ending can be the best thing for a couple, and divorce or getting an annulment may be a topic of d… Read More
2016-05-06 20:45
Pointing fingers? Mediation can help solve your family issues.When it comes to families and mediation, you may first think of divorce mediation. Mediation is used to resolve a wide variety o… Read More
2016-05-02 21:29
How do you prove paternity?Dear Jon Snow: No judgment here. There are plenty of “Snow” children in our current age. (For those of you who don’t watch “Game of Thrones… Read More
2016-01-21 09:23
Fixating on the amount of your Massachusetts child support may not be the best idea.
Note: This article originally appeared in the October/November 2015 issue of New England Woman Maga… Read More
2016-01-21 08:00
Note: This article originally appeared in the October/November 2015 issue of New England Woman Magazine.
If you are considering a divorce, or already divorced, you may be wondering ab… Read More
2015-08-23 21:41
Reaching a consensus on care and financial issues for our older parents can be challenging.As our family members age, conflict between siblings is no longer based upon who gets to decide wha… Read More
2015-07-10 00:33
Everyone is getting on the online divorce mediation train!Are you feeling constricted? Maybe you have not found the right fit for your divorce or other mediation?
Yes, the rumors are t… Read More
2015-06-02 02:23
Divorce Mediation will help protect your most important relationships.Many potential clients I meet with have read about divorce mediation and focus on the more obvious benefits of the… Read More
2015-04-12 15:48
During your Massachusetts divorce (or a post-divorce issue such as a child-support modification), it makes sense to understand your employee benefits, and those of your spouse or former… Read More
2015-03-21 16:28
Stephen McDonough, Esq.Stephen McDonough Attains Certified Divorce Mediator Status through the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
Press Release: March 20, 2015 | Medfield, MA
Stephen… Read More
2015-02-11 05:13
If you return to work, will the decrease in child support make it worth it?An issue that comes up frequently involves a client that has been out of the workforce, but is feeling some pressur… Read More
2014-12-23 00:04
I think Biff could be considered an HCP!Are there ways you can better manage a high conflict divorce or custody conflict? Is everything a battle with your ex-partner, spouse, or your c… Read More
2014-12-19 08:00
If you are due unpaid child support in Massachusetts, you should be familiar with the numerous options for collecting the money to help support your child or children.
Administrative enforc… Read More
2014-11-06 08:00
During my years as a Boston area real estate lawyer, I've worked with many landlords, both residential and commercial. When you have a non-paying tenant, it is a miserable situation. … Read More
2014-10-20 07:00
Medfield divorce lawyer and mediator Stephen McDonough attended the Massachusetts Bar Association's 24th Annual Family Law Conference October 17-18, 2014. The conference was held at t… Read More
2014-10-10 07:00
On October 8, 2014 Medfield, MA divorce mediator and lawyer Stephen McDonough from Next Phase Legal LLC attended a seminar hosted by the MA Council on Family Mediation. The seminar, E… Read More
2014-10-03 07:00
Does your child long to perform on the stage or big screen? Or any screen for that matter? In Massachusetts, an increase in film production over the last few years may provi… Read More
2014-09-13 07:00
Medfield Day Details
The 2014 Medfield Day is Saturday, September 20th. The Festivities kick off at 9:00 a.m. and run throughout the day until 3:00 pm, although the children's area rem… Read More
2014-09-08 07:00
Family Status
A grandparent's rights to visit their grandchild are limited in Massachusetts. If the parents of a minor child are married and living together, the grandparents do not h… Read More
2014-08-27 07:00
Market Basket news dominated Massachusetts headlines in 2014. It also provides a magnificent example of how NOT to resolve a business dispute.
A boardroom battle was transformed into… Read More
2014-08-13 07:00
Hiring a lawyer that meets the standards to represent you in a limited fashion through the LAR program may be your best choice.
Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) is also referred to u… Read More
2014-07-07 07:00
Whew! Are you feeling overwhelmed? If you are thinking about divorce in Massachusetts, it is understandable that you have plenty of questions.
Many couples find divorce mediatio… Read More
2014-06-17 07:00
Medway Divorce Mediator on How Mediation Benefits Your Kids
Even if you were not successful in your marriage, you can decide to be successful with your Massachusetts divorce. This may… Read More
2014-06-16 07:00
Are child support and alimony taxable?Can you deduct your support payments?
The cost of child support and alimony are important elements of many Massachusetts divorce cases. When thin… Read More
2014-06-16 07:00
Although most people are somewhat familiar with child support and alimony, there is a third category of support that you may not be familiar with. Unallocated family support doesn't g… Read More
2014-06-10 07:00
Medfield Summer Concerts
We are big music fans at Next Phase Legal. Attorney & Mediator Chris McHallam plays guitar, spent some time at Berklee College of Music, and particip… Read More
2014-05-31 07:00
On our website/blog, you may have read about the benefits of mediation, much of it relating to mediation in the divorce and family lawcontext. But what if you are not getting divorced… Read More
2014-05-25 07:00
Are you involved in a “condo war” with other residents? Resolving real estate legal issues with mediation is a smart choice on many levels.
Condominiums, especially thos… Read More
2014-05-15 07:00
How to Talk About Divorce With Your Spouse
Congratulations! Divorce mediation is usually a smart alternative to a high-conflict court-based divorce.
You did your homework and re… Read More
2014-05-12 07:00
Abraham Lincoln encouraged lawyers to “discourage litigation” and to “persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is o… Read More
2014-05-04 07:00
Attribution of income is a relatively common issue in Massachusetts child support cases, whether as part of your divorce or a post-divorce modification. Besides child support cases, a… Read More
2014-05-01 07:00
Divorced parents paying for college?
The combination of divorce and college expenses is full of potential traps. Paying for college is challenging for families under the best of circumstanc… Read More
2014-04-26 07:00
Why do some divorcing parents handle the issues surrounding parenting in a respectful and thoughtful manner, while others adopt mean-spirited and inflexible positions? As a Norf… Read More
2014-04-25 07:00
Quick Review Before ESOPs Explained
During your Massachusetts divorce, one important part of the process is the Equitable Division of Property. In my work as a lawyer and divorce medi… Read More
2014-04-17 07:00
I think there are many people who want to believe in unicorns. Some of them live with me. These mythical creatures seem to have a friendly disposition. Most unicorns seem to app… Read More
2014-04-16 07:00
I like to Move It Move It! If you have kids, you probably remember this song from the movie Madagascar. What does this pop tune have to do with your divorce?
As a divorce… Read More
2014-04-15 07:00
Asset or Liability?
A leased automobile is considered a liability. When you lease a vehicle, it is yours to use until the lease expires. For this, you make a monthly payment. You never actu… Read More
2014-04-08 07:00
The divorce budget will be an important factor for your marital estate as it relates to your divorce. Your Norfolk family lawyer has explained the how medical expenses are considered and th… Read More
2014-04-08 07:00
In my role as a Norfolk family lawyer and mediator, communicating effectively is key. During my previous career as a police officer, communications were oftentimes more direct, such as: &nbs&hell…Read More
2014-04-08 07:00
Clients of a Westwood family law attorney often have questions about secured debt following a divorce.
Understanding Secured Debt and Why It Is Customarily Joint Debt
During divorce… Read More
2014-04-08 07:00
Certainly your Massachusetts divorce is a legal process, but it is absolutely an emotional one also. Mental health professionals have identified different stages of grief, and the stage… Read More
2014-04-03 07:00
What started out as a cooperative divorce can turn instantly sour if a spouse makes any of the following 10 mistakes. Learn how to avoid 10 of the most common divorce mistakes in the book Read More
2014-04-02 07:00
Divorce is difficult enough; going to court for divorce is even more tiresome. Fortunately, a collaborative divorce proceeding exists, in which both parties and their attorneys commit to wor… Read More
2014-04-01 07:00
Separating shared assets during divorce is not always simple, especially when a significant portion of time passes between the date of separation and the date of divorce. Luckily, an establ… Read More
2014-03-31 07:00
As adivorce lawyer and mediator, much of my time involves obtaining and analyzing information, whether our client's case is a divorce, modification to child support, custody… Read More
2014-03-29 07:00
I frequently answer questions about the mandatory parenting education classes that divorcing parents in Massachusetts or even non-married parents must complete before their divorce becomes… Read More
2014-03-29 07:00
Are Your Employees' Chats, Texts, and Tweets Risky Business?
As a business lawyer, I counsel small business owners about a variety of issues. Changes in technology frequently res… Read More
2014-03-17 07:00
Talking to your children about divorce is a difficult but necessary conversation. As a Walpole divorce attorney, I have seen some parents handle this issue gracefully, while others have not… Read More
2014-03-01 08:00
Every year, dogs bite more than 4.5 million people, with approximately 885,000 requiring medical attention. These dog bite injury statistics provided by the US Center of Disease… Read More
2014-02-15 08:00
Divorce Mediators – Are They All the Same?
If you are searching for a divorce mediator in the Medfield and Walpole, Massachusetts area, you may start to think divorce mediation is sim… Read More
2014-02-01 08:00
Incorporation, Merger & Survival
If these terms are not what first comes into mind when you think of the types of divorce available, then congratulations – you're completely norma… Read More
2014-01-29 08:00
A few years ago, a woman called my office after being referred from a mutual acquaintance. I believe she was in her thirties and married well under a year. It was her first marriage;… Read More
2014-01-26 08:00
If I only had a dollar for every time I heard the statement, “I want social security benefits through my spouse because I didn't work!” Although I usually… Read More
2014-01-17 08:00
Saving for retirement can be a challenge under the best of circumstances, and your divorce can definitely upset your retirement savings plan. If you have not paid much attention to the fami… Read More
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