FAQs

The length of time a couple spends mediating their Separation Agreement depends on the complexity of their asset division, the ages of their children (if any), and the level of conflict. That said, most couples complete their mediation process in 6-12 hours. The Court process, from hearing to certification of final judgment takes, on average, between 20 and 30 weeks. (A lot of that is a waiting period called "divorce nisi.")

Mass.gov provides divorce petitioners with a simple child support calculation worksheet that helps you figure out how much you'll be receiving or paying. Click here to try it out now.

Some families deviate from the amount calculated by this worksheet and carefully explain the reasoning in their Separation Agreement. The judge may or may not accept a deviation.

There is a long list of deciding factors when it comes to alimony, and your best resource for understanding how it works is Mass.gov. Generally speaking, when alimony is in play, it's based on the receiving spouse's needs or between 30-35 percent of the difference between the parties' gross income. If you also have minor children, you will need to decide whether to calculate child support or alimony first, as families may not double dip on income while calculating.

Yes. In most Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts, you can submit your 1A divorce filing online. Many Courts prefer that you drop your filing in person. This way, the clerk can review your documents and you can fix any issues immediately, thus guaranteeing your hearing date.

Each child will respond uniquely to a divorce. The best thing parents can do to support children through this process is be kind to each other and give the kiddos extra love. Assure them that the divorce is not their fault and that they are safe. Most importantly, never bad mouth your coparent in front of the children.

Confused by the financial statements? You're not alone. I can help you understand each line item and fill the form out properly.

Absolutely. I frequently work with couples who don't see eye to eye. This is what mediation sessions are for. You can work through issues responsibly and gain confidence in your ability to resolve conflict in the future, which is especially important for my clients with young kids.

High conflict typically prolongs the amount of time a couple will spend in mediation, but I guarantee a mediated process will cost you less than a litigated process. Anger is expensive. Use this fact as motivation to stay the course in mediation and train your focus on solutions and outcomes.

If you're filing a 1A Joint Petition for Divorce in Massachusetts, it's a "no-fault" divorce filing. Your marital misconduct will not be a factor in creating a fair and equitable Separation Agreement and will not be mentioned in your filing.

If you have questions about the rarer instances of a "fault" divorce, please visit Mass.gov to learn about filing a fault divorce and reach out to an attorney for guidance and advocacy.

That's a big YES. I have been so fortunate to have the absolute best clients, many of whom are same-sex couples. I am an inclusive mediator and serve every client, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability, political persuasion, religion, or any other distinguishing characteristic.

Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts require your Separation Agreement to be "fair and equitable." Equitable does not mean equal, but it can. When calculating support and division of assets, it's important that couples explain any deviations from suggested guidelines and gross inequalities in asset division. A judge may or may not approve the proposed terms.

No. I'm often shocked when clients and friends show me agreements mediated by other professionals. Many are hard to read, contain information that the clients do not understand, have flowery language, leave out important topics, and are poorly organized.

The agreements I scribe for my clients represent their family's ideas and desired outcomes clearly. They are organized thoughtfully. Their content is thorough. The language is succinct and specific. Once the working agreement is complete, I send it to an attorney who offers and extra layer of vetting and converts it into legalese.

I do both. Thanks to Zoom, I can mediate cases all over the state. Many clients appreciate the ritual of meeting in person, so I mediate in my Burlington, Massachusetts office as well.

We start with a free consultation. Send me an email at hello@vanessalinsey.com. I promise I'll take good care of you.