Family Law

Divorce can involve much more than legally ending a marriage. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to address property division, debts, alimony, child custody, parenting time, child support, and other financial or family-related concerns.

Massachusetts generally allows spouses to proceed with either an uncontested divorce, often referred to as a 1A divorce, when they have reached an agreement on all necessary issues, or a contested divorce, often referred to as a 1B divorce, when issues remain unresolved. Saravia Law assists clients with both types of divorce, from negotiating and drafting separation agreements to representing clients in contested court proceedings.

Our goal is to help you understand your options and work toward a practical resolution that protects your interests and your family. When an agreement cannot be reached, we are prepared to advocate for you in court.

Child custody and parenting time decisions can have a lasting impact on both parents and children. Massachusetts courts consider the best interests of the child when determining legal custody, physical custody, parenting schedules, and other child-related matters.

Saravia Law represents parents seeking to establish, negotiate, or litigate custody and parenting arrangements. We can help develop parenting plans addressing regular schedules, holidays, vacations, travel, decision-making, communication, and other issues important to your family.

Whether you are working toward an agreement with the other parent or facing a contested custody matter, we will help you understand the process and advocate for an arrangement that supports your child's needs and your role as a parent.

Child support is intended to help ensure that both parents contribute financially to the needs of their children. Massachusetts child support calculations generally consider the parents' incomes, parenting arrangements, health insurance, childcare expenses, and other relevant factors.

Saravia Law assists clients with establishing, reviewing, and modifying child support orders. We can also help address issues involving additional child-related expenses, including medical costs, childcare, education, extracurricular activities, and college expenses when applicable.

Every family's financial circumstances are different. We work with clients to understand the financial information involved and advocate for a fair and appropriate child support arrangement.

A guardianship may be necessary when a child's parent is unable or unavailable to provide the care or decision-making the child needs. A court-appointed guardian can be given legal authority to care for a minor and make important decisions on the child's behalf.

Saravia Law assists relatives, family friends, parents, and other caregivers with Massachusetts guardianship proceedings. We can help with both agreed-upon and contested guardianships, as well as requests for temporary guardianship when more immediate court involvement is necessary.

Guardianship cases can involve complicated family relationships and important questions concerning a child's safety and stability. We guide clients through the court process while keeping the child's welfare at the center of the case.

Adoption creates a permanent legal parent-child relationship and can provide families with important legal recognition and security. Massachusetts adoption proceedings can involve stepparent adoptions, second-parent adoptions, relative adoptions, adult adoptions, and other family-building circumstances.

Saravia Law assists individuals and families throughout the adoption process, including preparing and filing the necessary court documents, addressing consent and notice requirements, requesting appropriate waivers, and preparing clients for court proceedings.

We understand that families are formed in many different ways. Our firm is proud to assist LGBTQ+ parents, blended families, relatives, and other families seeking the legal protections and recognition that adoption can provide.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements allow couples to make thoughtful decisions about their finances and property rather than leaving those questions entirely to the court in the event of divorce or death.

A prenuptial agreement is entered into before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement is entered into after the parties are already married. These agreements may address separate and marital property, real estate, business interests, debts, inheritance rights, and potential alimony obligations, among other financial matters.

Saravia Law works with clients to draft, review and negotiate agreements that reflect their individual circumstances and financial goals. We encourage clients to approach these agreements as a form of planning and transparency that can provide greater certainty for both spouses.

Family circumstances can change long after a divorce, custody judgment, or support order is entered. A parenting arrangement that once worked may no longer be practical, a parent's income may change, or a child's needs may evolve.

Massachusetts courts may modify certain existing orders and judgments when the legal requirements for modification are met. Saravia Law assists clients seeking changes to child custody, parenting time, child support, and alimony, as well as clients responding to requests for modification filed by another party.

We can help determine whether modification is appropriate, explore whether an agreement can be reached, and represent you in court when the requested changes are disputed.

There are many personal reasons why someone may wish to legally change their name. Saravia Law assists adults and minors with name change proceedings in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court.

For adults, we can assist with preparing and filing the documents necessary to obtain a court-ordered legal name change. For children, the process may involve additional requirements and court review depending on the circumstances of the case.

We are proud to assist transgender and gender-diverse clients seeking legal name changes and understand the importance of having identity documents that accurately reflect who you are. Our firm works to make the process as straightforward, respectful, and comfortable as possible.

Establishing parentage legally determines who a child's parents are and can be an important first step in protecting the rights of both the child and the parents. In Massachusetts, parentage may be established through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage or through a court proceeding.

Saravia Law assists parents with establishing parentage through the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, including cases where parentage is disputed or where a court order is needed. A parentage case may also involve related issues such as child custody, parenting time, child support, and health insurance for the child.

Establishing legal parentage can provide important protections for families and help ensure that both parents' rights and responsibilities are formally recognized. Our firm can help you understand your options, prepare the necessary court filings, and advocate for an arrangement that reflects your family's circumstances.