Family Law Archives - The Law Office of Rhonda S. Boule

Do-it-yourself Divorce: Is it right for you? 9 factors and 3 tips for going it alone.

A DIY divorce – the process of obtaining a divorce from your spouse without the assistance of experts or professionals – usually motivated by the desire to save money – is an option in Massachusetts. While a DIY divorce is cheaper to obtain, it may be costly in the long run. How do you know […]

Do-it-yourself (DIY) Massachusetts Divorce Online: What’s the Real Deal?

Just type “DIY divorce” into your favorite search engine, and you’ll see numerous ads claiming that “Doing Your Own MA Divorce is Easy,” and offering “Free DIY Divorce Forms.” Some ads even claim to offer a DIY divorce online. Touted as “Fast” and “Lawyer-Free,” many of these divorces are offered along with some version of […]

Today’s Decision Addresses Standard of Parental Unfitness

Today, the Court vacated a judgment and order entered in a care and protection case where the findings of the Juvenile Court were insufficient to support a conclusion that the parents were unfit. Care and Protection of Yetta, No. 12-P-1540, Middlesex, January 16, 2014. Background The DCF filed a petition under G.L. c. 119, § […]

Stalking in violation of a restraining order may be based on numerous telephone calls to victim from abroad

Stalking conviction upheld by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today. A defendant convicted of stalking his wife in violation of a G.L. c209A Restraining Order appealed his conviction, arguing that the judge’s instruction to the jury misconstrued the legal definition of “stalking,” and that under the correct definition, there was insufficient evidence of guilt beyond a […]