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Frequently Asked Questions Lynch & Owens are South Shore divorce attorneys and family law attorneys who practice primarily in Plymouth County and ...

Massachusetts DCF Services

Our Massachusetts DCF Lawyers Help Parents during Hard Times Serving a client in DCF Investigations for Neglect or Abuse Attorney Nicole K. Levy ...

Divorce Mediation

Massachusetts Divorce Mediators Amicable Resolution of Your Divorce Getting divorced is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be exhausting or crushingly ...

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Serving Plymouth County, Norfolk County, Cape Cod & the South Shore of Massachusetts Since 1995 Lynch & Owens is built on a foundation of prompt and ...

Ask Our Attorneys: How has the Coronavirus Impacted Family Law in Massachusetts?

The divorce and family attorneys of Lynch & Owens share their perspectives on how the pandemic has impacted courts, clients and their own work as ...

Mediate Your Divorce with Nicole K. Levy of South Shore Divorce Mediation

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Divorce Mediator Nicole K. Levy provides divorcing spouses with a confidential, cost-effective alternative ...

Tax Court: Paying an Ex-Spouse’s Student Loans is a Form of Alimony

Divorce attorney Nicole K. Levy explores a recent tax court decision treating student loan payments as alimony. With more and more people over the age ...

Nicole K. Levy Guest Blogs on Legal Custody at Scaling the Summit: Assumption 3 of 4 – The Shared Custody “Veto Power”

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy guest blogs on legal custody at Skylark Law & Mediation’s divorce blog, Scaling the Summit, with her third ...

Nicole K. Levy Guest Blogs on Legal Custody at Scaling the Summit: Assumption 2 of 4 – Consent to Medical Treatment

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy guest blogs on legal custody at Skylark Law & Mediation’s divorce blog, Scaling the Summit, with her ...

Nicole K. Levy Guest Blogs on “Legal Custody Assumptions” at Scaling the Summit – Assumption 1 of 4 – Access to School & Medical Records

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy is guest blogging on Skylark Law & Mediation’s divorce blog, Scaling the Summit, about assumptions ...

How Mediation Rewards Creativity to Resolve Disputes

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Divorce Mediator Nicole K. Levy reviews how mediation encourages dispute resolution by rewarding creative ...

Agreeing to a “Marriage End Date” Can Reduce Stress in Divorce Mediation

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Agreeing to a “Marriage End Date” Can Reduce Stress in Divorce Mediation Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy ...

Lynch & Owens Launches: South Shore Divorce Mediation

The South Shore leader in divorce and family law announces the launch of South Shore Divorce Mediation to serve the divorce mediation needs of ...

How Do Courts Decide Child Custody Cases?

Family Law Attorney Jason V. Owens explores how family court judges analyze and decide cases involving child custody and parenting time. Click here ...

Can MA Spouses be Bound by a “Memo of Understanding” that Merely Outlines a Final Divorce Agreement?

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Massachusetts case in which a Probate and Family Court held that spouses were bound by a ...

The Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines: the Basic Framework

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy provides an overview of child support in Massachusetts under the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. ...

My Husband left me for the Babysitter. Will a Judge Order her to Stay Away from my Kids?

Here’s the scenario: your husband left you for the babysitter, causing you to file for divorce. You want the judge in your divorce case to forbid your ...

Stone v. Stone: When Probate and Family Court Judges Punish Dishonest or Overly-Litigious Parents by Changing Custody

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy examines a Massachusetts Appeals Court decision demonstrating that probate and family court judges ...

Co-Parenting: The Challenge for Divorced and Separated Parents

Click here for printer friendly PDF format South Shore Divorce Mediation's Nicole K. Levy explains co-parenting the struggles faced by divorced and ...

Overcoming Negative Emotions in the Mediation Process

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy explores the challenges posed by strong emotions in the mediation process. ...

Cohabitating Before Marriage Can Increase Alimony Payments in MA

A recent Appeals Court decision highlights how alimony orders can last longer when spouses lived together (cohabitated) before getting married. Click ...

Conciliation and Evaluative Mediation: Robust Alternatives to Litigation

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Conciliator and evaluative mediator Nicole K. Levy explains how divorce and family law litigants can ...

How Divorce Mediation Helps Spouses Divide Marital Property Fairly

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Divorce Mediator Nicole K. Levy reviews how mediation helps couples divide property efficiently and ...

How Mediating Child Custody Agreements and Parenting Time Protects Families

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Divorce Mediator Nicole K. Levy reviews how parents can use a mediator to resolve child custody and ...

How Long Will My Divorce Mediation Take to Complete?

Click here for printer friendly PDF format South Shore Divorce Mediation's Nicole K. Levy discusses how long a typical divorce mediation lasts. I am ...

Deviations Under the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the grounds for child support deviations under the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. In most ...

Is Divorce Mediation Faster than Litigation?

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy explains why mediation is usually faster than divorce litigation. For ...

Father vs. Dad: When a Step-Dad may be Granted Custody after Mom’s Death

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a case in which a Probate and Family Court judge granted custody of a child to a step-dad – ...

Deviations Under the Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the how deviations from amount and durational limits under the Massachusetts alimony reform act ...

Parents Who Were Never Married: Establishing Paternity in Massachusetts

Massachusetts family law lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews establishing paternity for children of unmarried parents in Massachusetts. Massachusetts law ...

The Big Move: Obtaining a Court’s Permission to Remove Your Children from MA

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the law affecting the removal/ relocation of children from the Commonwealth by a parent. On days ...

When Can I Modify an Alimony Judgment in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews when alimony can be modified under the Alimony Reform Act of 2011. Can the Alimony Reform Act be ...

How Do Big Changes to 2021 Guidelines Impact Child Support in MA?

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Child Support Just Increased For High Earners In MA. Does It Impact Your Case? Biggest changes to 2021 ...

Do Separated Spouses Need to Get Along for Mediation to Work?

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy discusses overcoming anger in the mediation process. Divorcing spouses who ...

Using Short-Term Mediation While Courts are Closed Due to Coronavirus

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Mediator Nicole K. Levy explains how litigants are turning to mediation while courts closed by Covid-19. ...

What’s Your Divorce Mediation Preparation Checklist?

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Mediator Nicole K. Levy reviews the steps every spouse should take before their first divorce mediation. ...

The Top Four Questions to Ask in Your Divorce Mediation

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Nicole K. Levy of South Shore Divorce Mediation explores the top four questions to ask in mediation. ...

Tips for Finding the Right Divorce Mediator for Your Family

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format South Shore Divorce Mediation's Nicole K. Levy offers tips on finding the right divorce mediator for your ...

Do Not Underestimate the Seriousness of a DCF Investigation

DCF attorney Nicole K. Levy examines common mistakes made by parents and caregivers under investigation by DCF for child neglect or abuse. Click here ...

Mediation is the Best Divorce Option During the Coronavirus Crisis

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Mediator Nicole K. Levy discusses how the Covid-19 crisis is pushing litigating parties towards mediation ...

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation over Litigation

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Mediator Nicole K. Levy takes a deep dive into the benefits of resolving a divorce through mediation rather ...

Comparing the 3 Major Styles of Mediation

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Comparing the 3 Major Styles of Mediation Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy reviews compares and contrasts ...

Cyberbullying and Snooping During Divorce: Improving Your Electronic Hygiene

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Cyberbullying and Snooping During Divorce: Improving Your Electronic Hygiene We review ways to harden your ...

Appeals Court: Reducing Alimony Requires Analysis of Income and Assets in Mass

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Appeals Court: Reducing Alimony Requires Analysis of Income and Assets in Mass New Appeals Court decision ...

Is an Irrevocable Trust a Divisible Asset in a Massachusetts Divorce?

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the treatment of irrevocable trusts in Massachusetts divorce cases. In my recent blog on the ...

Complaints for Contempt in Massachusetts: A Comprehensive Review of the Law of Contempt Actions in the Probate & Family Court

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy provides a comprehensive review of the legal standards used to determine a Complaint for Contempt in ...

How Probate Court Judges Punish Dishonesty in Custody Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy explores how Probate and Family Court judges punish dishonesty in child custody cases. Probate Court ...

MA Appeals Court: Wife's Poor Health Valid Grounds for Alimony Deviation

Hingham divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews an Appeals Court decision extending alimony due to a former wife’s health issues. Since the Alimony ...

Appeals Court: Out of Court Agreements to Reduce Child Support Are Not Enforceable, But Some Exceptions Exist

Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Massachusetts Appeals Court decision that may include an incorrect legal standard. This blog started out as ...

Grandparent Visitation More Challenging Than Ever in Massachusetts

Hingham Divorce Lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Appeals Court decision that reveals the challenges faced by grandparents seeking visitation in ...

How Joint Bank Accounts Can Assist Co-Parenting

Click here for printer friendly PDF format Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy discusses how divorced and separated parents can benefit from using a joint ...

Appeals Court: Divorced Mom's Work Commute is Grounds for Changing Child's School Despite Shared Custody

Divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews an Appeals Court case in which a parent’s commute in traffic-clogged Massachusetts triggered a child custody ...

Changes to Child Support for Adult Children and College Expenses Under the 2017 MA Child Support Guidelines

Nicole Levy reviews the major changes to child support for adult children and the payment of college expenses under the 2017 Massachusetts Child ...

Who Pays for School: College Expenses and Massachusetts Child Support Agreements

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the complexities of addressing college expenses in divorce and child support agreements. In my ...

Income Attribution in Massachusetts Child Support and Alimony Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the attribution of income in child support and alimony cases in Massachusetts. In cases involving ...

How Massachusetts Courts Treat Future Inheritances and Expectancy Interests in Divorce Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the treatment of future inheritance and unvested expectancy interests in Massachusetts divorce ...

Responding to DCF Findings of "Substantiated Concern" in Child Neglect and Abuse Investigations

Massachusetts DCF attorney Nicole K. Levy explores the increasingly common finding of “substantiated concern” in DCF investigations for child abuse ...

Tips for Surviving a 51A DCF Investigation for Child Neglect or Abuse

DCF attorney Nicole K. Levy explores strategies for parents and caregivers who are under investigation by DCF for child neglect or abuse. Click here ...

Seven Ways that Massachusetts Courts Determine Parental Unfitness

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews the factors that Massachusetts judges use to identify unfit parents in Juvenile and Probate and ...

SJC: Alimony Limited to Marital Lifestyle in Massachusetts

Nicole K. Levy reviews an SJC decision limiting Massachusetts alimony to the lifestyle enjoyed by spouses during the marriage. Click Here for print ...

How A Mediation Coach Can Help Your Divorce

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Mediator Nicole K. Levy explores the many ways that a mediation coach can assist in a divorce. The first ...

Divorced Parents Face Uncertain Holidays as Covid Limits Travel and Gatherings

With public schools quarantining students, many divorced and separated parents struggle with family gatherings and holiday travel plans. Since the ...

When Shared Physical Custody is not Appropriate

Massachusetts custody lawyer Nicole K. Levy analyzes a recent Appeals Court case identifying parental behaviors that make shared physical custody of ...

Child Relocation: What Recent Massachusetts Removal Case Law Tells Us

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews Massachusetts appellate decisions from 2015 and 2016 affecting the removal / relocation of ...

Appeals Court Further Limits Grandparent Visitation in Massachusetts

Click here for printer friendly PDF format The U.S. Supreme Court has held that parents have a fundamental right to raise their child without ...

My Spouse Hired a Divorce Mediation Coach…What Should I Do?

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Nicole K. Levy addresses the impact of the other spouse hiring a mediation coach during divorce mediation. ...

How College Expenses Affect Child Support in Massachusetts

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy provides an overview of how child support is affected by college expenses in Massachusetts. UPDATED ...

Moving (with Children) After Divorce in Massachusetts

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy uses a recent Appeals Court decision to illustrate the complications faced by former spouses who seek to ...

Modifying Child Support and Alimony for Self-Employed Parties

Attorney Nicole K. Levy explains how Covid-19 has complicated modifying child support and alimony cases involving self-employed parents and former ...

Temporary Orders for Child Custody, Child Support and Alimony in Massachusetts Family Law Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy discusses how to plan for temporary orders in Massachusetts divorce and family law cases. The biggest ...

Cohabitation not Grounds for Terminating Alimony in Pre-2012 Divorces in Massachusetts

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Appeals Court decision on alimony cohabitation and income attribution. In an opinion ...

Can a Party Fired for Employee Misconduct Seek a Reduction in Child Support or Alimony?

Nicole Levy explores a recent Appeals Court decision that makes it easier for employees who are fired or resign due to workplace misconduct to obtain ...

A Future Inheritance Cannot Be Divided in a Massachusetts Divorce

Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews how future inheritances impact the division of marital assets in Massachusetts. Click Here for print friendly PDF ...

What Court Filing Limits Alimony Duration in a Divorce?

Massachusetts attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews some of the complexities surrounding the “length of the marriage” when calculating alimony. The biggest ...

2017 MA Child Support Guidelines Eliminate Hybrid Orders for 33-49% Parenting Time

Nicole Levy reviews how the 2017 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines will eliminate “hybrid” child support orders for parents with 33% to 50% of ...

The Challenge of Modifying College Payment Agreements in Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts

Divorce Attorney Nicole K. Levy explores how college contributions are treated differently from child support orders in Massachusetts. Modifications ...

Shuttle Diplomacy Helps Resolve High-Conflict Divorce Mediations

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Divorce mediator Nicole K. Levy explores how shuttle mediation allows couples can resolve high-conflict ...

How Does Legal Marijuana Impact Child Custody Cases?

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy explores how legalized recreational marijuana may impact child custody and parental rights in Massachusetts. ...

Divorce, Custody Disputes and the Terrible Epidemic of Murder-Suicide

Massachusetts family law attorney Nicole K. Levy examines the intersection of divorce, family disputes and murder-suicide in Massachusetts. Out of all ...

Using Premarital Cohabitation to Extend Alimony May be Easier than Previously Thought

Divorce attorney Nicole K. Levy explores a recent SJC decision that favors extending alimony payments based on premarital cohabitation. The Supreme ...

Nine Ways Marriage Changes Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities

What Changes When You Get Married? Divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy explores 9 ways that marriage changes your rights and responsibilities under the law. ...

How Liquidity Affects Asset Division in a Divorce

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy analyzes a recent Appeals Court case that provides guidance on how the liquidity of marital assets can ...

Preparing Financial Statements in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the preparation of Financial Statements in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court cases. Under ...

When Does the Clock Start Running for Durational Alimony in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy analyzes a recent Supreme Judicial Court decision addressing the time limits for durational alimony. It is ...

209A Restraining Orders Can Be Abused

Family law attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews how 209A restraining orders can be falsely obtained through exaggerated or false claims of abuse. Few would ...

International Travel: A Source of Conflict in Child Custody Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews how international travel can create conflict in child custody cases. One area of dispute that ...

Why Choose Mediation Over Litigation for Your Divorce?

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Why Choose Mediation Over Litigation for Your Divorce? Divorce Mediator Nicole K. Levy explains why ...

Mediation Works Even After a Complaint for Divorce Has Been Filed

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Mediation Works Even After a Complaint for Divorce Has Been Filed Divorce Mediator Nicole K. Levy explains ...

Republican Tax Bill Would Eliminate Alimony Tax Deduction Nationwide and in Massachusetts

Nicole K. Levy comments on reports that Republican tax bill would eliminate state and federal alimony tax deductions. CNN is reporting that the ...

Rule 411: the Automatic Restraining Order in MA Divorce Cases

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Appeals Court case covering violations of the Automatic Restraining Order (Rule 411). In ...

Child Support for Adult Children in Massachusetts: When Does it End?

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews if and when child support terminates after a child’s 18th birthday. Every Massachusetts family law ...

What Does "Parental Unfitness" Mean in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy discusses parental unfitness in custody, guardianship and adoption cases. In highly contested divorce and ...

When a Court Reduces Child Support While Alimony Continues

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole Levy reviews a case of a Probate and Family Court judge lowering a father’s child support while leaving alimony ...

Surviving a DCF Family Assessment in Massachusetts

Massachusetts DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy reviews DCF’s “family assessment” process following a supported findings of child neglect or abuse. Once the ...

The DCF Fair Hearing Process: Appealing Supported Findings of Child Neglect or Abuse

DCF Attorney Nicole K. Levy outlines the DCF Fair Hearing process for individuals seeking to appeal a supported finding of neglect or abuse. In ...

Do Courts Divide Student Loan Debt in a Divorce?

Attorney Nicole K. Levy answers the question of what happens to student loans in a divorce? It should come as no surprise that more and more divorces ...

DCF Wants to Talk to me About my Children. What do I do?

Massachusetts DCF lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the choices parents face when the Department of Children and Families (DCF) knocks on the door. Ava ...

Grandparent Rights in Massachusetts: When Can a Court Order Visits?

Massachusetts family law lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews if and when grandparents receive visitation rights in Massachusetts. Massachusetts specifically ...

Nicole K. Levy Guest Blogs on Legal Custody at Scaling the Summit: Assumption 4 of 4 – Presumption of Shared Legal Custody

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy guest blogs on legal custody at Skylark Law & Mediation’s divorce blog, Scaling the Summit, with her forth ...

Appeals Court: Alimony Appropriate Following Six-Year Marriage When Spouse is Disabled

Click Here for print friendly PDF format Divorce Lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Appeals Court decision affirming alimony for a disabled wife ...

The Crucial First Steps of a DCF "51A Investigation" for Child Abuse or Neglect in MA

Massachusetts DCF lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews the crucial first steps taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) after there is a report ...

Appeals Court: Child Support Ending can Trigger Alimony Increase

Divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy reviews a recent Appeals Court decision suggesting that the end of child support can be grounds for an increase in ...

Child Custody: The Benefits of Mediating Holiday Schedules

Click here for printer-friendly PDF format Child Custody: The Benefits of Mediating Holiday Schedules Child custody mediator Nicole K. Levy reviews ...

The Opportunity to Acquire Future Assets: How Family Wealth Can Impact the Division of Assets

Massachusetts divorce lawyer Nicole K. Levy analyzes an Appeals Court case that suggests a spouse’s wealthy family can generate a more generous asset ...

Meet Nicole Levy

Nicole K. Levy

Senior Associate Attorney