Parents may ask the Courts to order a visitation or parenting plan if the parents cannot agree. Both mother and father will be considered to have custody and a plan will be implemented that is in the best interests of the child. Some parents see and take their children only every other weekend, while some split weeks. Some parents must have supervised visits.

Existing parenting plans can be altered through a modification if there have been substantial changes in circumstance. Attorney Carpenter is well practiced and has successfully pursued modifications. Child support is set by guidelines issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and an order will be set according to the Financial Statements of the parties, which detail each parties income, assets, and debts.

Failure to pay ordered child support can result in penalties, loss of driver’s license, and incarceration. Unless not in the best interest of the child, both parents will have access to the child, the child should live in a healthy environment, and the child should not be exposed to parental arguments. Legal custody may be sole or joint, depending upon the parents’ ability to get along, and physical custody also can be shared or sole. Attorney Carpenter will work with you to present yourself in the most favorable light to the Court.

Parents may not move with their children from Massachusetts without the consent of the other parent or by filing a removal petition with the court. Parents who have moved without permission have been ordered to return their children back to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you want to move from the Commonwealth with your child Attorney Carpenter will advise you through the difficult process.