Child support plays an important role in ensuring that children receive the financial resources they need to thrive. Whether child support is being established for the first time as part of a divorce, custody, or paternity action, or the amount is disputed, understanding your rights and obligations is essential.

Today’s families take many forms, including married and unmarried parents, blended families, same-sex parents, adoptive families, and families created through assisted reproduction. Regardless of your family’s structure, child support issues should be resolved in a manner that promotes your child’s best interests while ensuring that financial responsibilities are allocated fairly under Massachusetts law.

I represent parents throughout Massachusetts in matters involving the establishment, calculation, enforcement, and modification of child support. Every case begins with a careful review of each family’s unique financial circumstances and the applicable Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines.

Massachusetts child support is generally calculated using the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. While the Guidelines provide a framework for determining support, every family’s financial circumstances are unique, and the court may consider a variety of factors when calculating the appropriate amount.

Depending on the circumstances, child support may be affected by:

Understanding how these factors apply to your case is essential to ensuring that child support is calculated fairly and accurately.

Determining a parent’s income is not always straightforward. In many cases, calculating child support involves more than reviewing a paycheck. Depending on the circumstances, income may include:

Cases involving business owners, self-employed individuals, executive compensation, or other complex financial circumstances often require a more detailed financial analysis.

I represent clients in a wide range of child support matters, including:

Child support cases frequently involve issues beyond simply calculating a monthly support amount. I regularly assist clients with matters involving:

Yes. While the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines apply in most cases, the court may deviate from the Guidelines when appropriate under the law. Whether a deviation is warranted depends on the unique facts of each case and the child’s best interests.

Child support is intended to contribute to a child’s everyday needs and expenses. Depending on the circumstances of the case, financial issues may include:

Every family’s financial situation is different, and determining an appropriate child support order requires careful consideration of the Child Support Guidelines and the unique facts of each case.

As children grow older, educational expenses often become an increasingly important consideration. Depending on the circumstances, issues such as private school tuition, tutoring, special educational needs, and post-secondary educational expenses may affect a family’s financial obligations.

Massachusetts courts have the authority to address educational expenses, including contributions toward college or other post-secondary educational costs in appropriate cases. Whether you are seeking a contribution toward these expenses or evaluating your potential financial obligations, I help clients understand the applicable law and develop practical strategies tailored to their family’s unique circumstances.

Child support matters often involve more than simply completing a financial worksheet. They require careful analysis of income, parenting arrangements, educational expenses, and the many factors that may affect the appropriate amount of support under Massachusetts law.

Whether your case involves traditional employment income, self-employment, business ownership, bonuses, commissions, investment income, executive compensation, or other complex financial issues, I work closely with clients to evaluate the relevant financial information and develop practical strategies tailored to their circumstances. My goal is to protect my clients’ financial interests while ensuring that their children’s needs remain the priority.

Whether your case is resolved through negotiation or litigation, I provide thoughtful guidance, thorough preparation, and strong advocacy throughout the process.