Practice Areas - Family Law
Family matters are generally the most personal and heart-wrenching legal matters. Whether it is a divorce, a custody case, or a modification of an existing order, it is our paramount importance that you have confidence in the person speaking and acting on your behalf. Bedard and Bobrow's skilled attorneys have years of experience in family matter cases in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. They understand the personal implications of every facet of a family matter case and have a reputation for handling such matters with skill and professionalism.
Maine
In Maine, family matters include actions for divorce, parental rights and responsibilities,
and motions to modify. Maine is a no-fault state in divorce actions, meaning that parties
may file for and be granted a divorce on the ground of irreconcilable differences. All family
matters in Maine are multi-step processes that require a Case Management Conference (when children
are involved), a pretrial conference, and a final hearing in the event an agreement is not reached.
Most cases will also be referred to mediation with a mediator who is approved by the Court system.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, family matters are more expansive and include divorce/parenting action,
child support, domestic violence petitions, guardianship of minors, termination of
parental rights, abuse/neglect cases, juvenile deliquency, and some adoptions. New Hampshire
cases involving children require a detailed parenting plan that provides in-depth contact
and financial arrangements for the child(ren).
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, initial and interim family matters are conducted by offers of proof.
At such hearings, each side summarizes their respective positions and presents them
to the Court. This process does allow Massachusetts Courts to be immediately accessible
in Court actions.
No matter the state or the type of actions, the attorneys at Bedard and Bobrow have experience
in handling that matter. Without the assistance of legal counsel, many important protections
and benefits to you may be missed. For example, if you have been married for ten years in Maine,
there is a presumption of alimony. Or if your spouse had an employment related retirement account,
you are presumed to have some ownership of that account.
Our skilled office staff looks forward to helping you in any way as you prepare to deal with these emotional matters and as in every other area of our practice, all communications remain confidential pursuant to our strict adherence to the bar rules of all three states.
Also see our Divorce FAQ
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