Product Description

Recent updates:

• Update: April 2023

  Dear Subscriber:

  Thank you for updating your library with the latest version of Massachusetts Divorce Law Practice Manual. This newly revised publication brings updated resources within your immediate reach—for fast, accurate, and practical answers to your questions in this highly challenging area of practice.

  Highlights from the 2023 edition include

  • amended procedures in the Probate and Family Court regarding virtual hearings and registries and interdivisional and interdepartmental case transfers;

  • discussions throughout the book of the Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Cavanagh v. Cavanagh , 490 Mass. 398 (2022), which addressed the calculation of alimony and child support and continues to be reviewed and implemented by the Massachusetts courts;

  • important amendments to the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines effective October 2021, including, for example, a specification of three options for parenting time ("shared," two-thirds, and "split"), adjustment of the benchmark child-care cost amount based on the number of children, elimination of the previous 15 percent cap on the health-care credit, and adjustments to the treatment of overtime and income from a secondary job;

  • caselaw addressing when to increase the duration of alimony to reflect a premarital period of cohabitation;

  • newly added guidance on the selection of guardians ad litem (GALs), discussing the importance of designating an alternate GAL, the distinction between Category E and Category F GALs, securing a GAL during periods when they are in short supply, and use of a special GAL to waive or assert the psychotherapeutic privilege of a minor child;

  • the preparation of financial statements and cross-examination on any discrepancies;

  • recent Appeals Court cases on the calculation of alimony;

  • guidance on e-filing procedures in the Probate and Family Court and variations in procedures among counties;

  • recent cases on improper coaching of witnesses during depositions;

  • an amendment to the Massachusetts General Laws bringing the state's taxation of payors and recipients of alimony in line with federal practice under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

  • inflation adjustments to selected dollar amounts in the Bankruptcy Code;

  • a Supreme Judicial Court decision on the allocation of postseparation debt;

  • the suspension of Standing Order 2-16, which required attendance at an approved parenting education course;

  • an Appeals Court decision addressing circumstances where a noncustodial parent living out of state seeks custody of a child and permission to remove the child from Massachusetts; and

  • Appeals Court decisions on the enforceability and interpretation of premarital agreements.

  The book's ethics commentary has been updated throughout to reflect recent changes in the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct and other developments in the area of professional responsibility.

  WWe trust you will find this updated version of the Massachusetts Divorce Law Practice Manual an invaluable resource for your practice.

  Very truly yours,

  John M. Lawlor, Esq., MCLE Publications Attorney

Table of Contents

Chapter 01 expand

Introduction to the Practice of Employment Law

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Brian J. MacDonough, Esq., Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Checklist 1.1

- A Massachusetts Employment Lawyer’s Checklist: Claims, Defenses, and Counterclaims Buy Form

Exhibit 1A

- Ten Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Employment Law Buy Form

Exhibit 1B

- MCAD Procedures for Private Complaints Buy Form

Chapter 02 expand

Employment Contracts

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Gavriela M. Bogin-Farber, Esq., Segal Roitman LLP
Puneet Dhaliwal, Esq.,
Stephen T. Melnick, Esq., Littler Mendelson, PC

Checklist 2.1

- Employment Contract Claim Strategy Checklist for Employer’s Counsel Buy Form

Chapter 03 expand

Common Law Tort Claims in the Employment Context

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Sarah-Elizabeth H. Cloutier, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP
Sharen Litwin, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP
Richard S. Loftus, Jr., Esq., Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP

Chapter 04 expand

Overview of Employment Discrimination

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David Conforto, Esq., Conforto Law Group
Alexandra H. Deal, Esq., Paik, Brewington & Deal, LLP

Chapter 05 expand

Age Discrimination in Employment

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Robert S. Mantell, Esq., Law Office of Robert S. Mantell
Sean P. O'Connor, Esq., Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP

Checklist 5.1

- Age Discrimination Strategy Checklist for Defense Attorneys Buy Form

Chapter 06 expand

Gender Discrimination

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Gavriela M. Bogin-Farber, Esq., Segal Roitman LLP
Alida Bográn-Acosta, Esq., Tufts University Office of Equal Opportunity
Gwen Nolan King, Esq., Nolan King Law
James S. Weliky, Esq., Messing, Rudavsky & Weliky, PC

Chapter 07 expand

Disability Discrimination

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Anthony S. Califano, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Patrick J. Hannon, Esq., Hartley Michon Robb Hannon LLP
Michael E. Steinberg, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Checklist 7.1

- Plaintiff’s Burden of Proof When Alleging Employer’s Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodation Buy Form

Checklist 7.2

- Disability Discrimination: Strategy Options for Employers Buy Form

Chapter 08 expand

Pregnancy Discrimination

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Michael L. Mason, Esq., Bennett & Belfort, PC
Kathleen R. O'Toole, Esq., Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP
Emily J. Slaman, Esq., Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP

Chapter 09 expand

Race, Ethnicity, and National Origin Discrimination

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David I. Brody, Esq., Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Checklist 9.1

- Strategy Options for Plaintiff in Race, Ethnicity, or National Origin Discrimination Claim Buy Form

Checklist 9.2

- Strategy Options for Defendant in Race, Ethnicity, or National Origin Discrimination Claim Buy Form

Chapter 10 expand

Religious Discrimination

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Sarah-Elizabeth H. Cloutier, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP
Kavita M. Goyal, Esq., Rosen & Goyal, PC
Anne L. Josephson, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP

Chapter 11 expand

Sexual Harassment

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Puneet Dhaliwal, Esq.,
Stephen T. Melnick, Esq., Littler Mendelson, PC
Ana Munoz, Esq., Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP
Monica R. Shah, Esq., Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP

Checklist 11.1

- Harassment Investigation Checklist Buy Form

Exhibit 11A

- MCAD Sexual Harassment Guidelines Buy Form

Exhibit 11B

- MCAD’S Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy Buy Form

Chapter 12 expand

Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

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Henry T. Gaylord, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP
Beth R. Myers, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP

Chapter 13 expand

Massachusetts Payment of Wages Law—G.L. c. 149, §§ 148–150

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Philip J. Gordon, Esq., Gordon Law Group LLP
Kristen M. Hurley, Esq., Gordon Law Group LLP
Elizabeth A. Rodgers, Esq., Gordon Law Group LLP

Exhibit 13A

- G.L. c. 149, § 148: Covered Employers and Employees Buy Form

Exhibit 13B

- 2008 Massachusetts Attorney General Advisory on Independent Contractor Law Buy Form

Exhibit 13C

- Awuah v. Coverall North America, Inc., Order of Certification Buy Form

Exhibit 13D

- Wage Payment Due Dates Under G.L. c. 149, § 148 Buy Form

Chapter 14 expand

Federal and State Overtime Laws

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Desiree Y. Murphy, Esq., CVS, Pharmacy/Legal Dept
Alan Jay Rom, Esq., Rom Law PC

Checklist 14.1

- Plaintiff’s Checklist Regarding Overtime Issues Buy Form

Chapter 15 expand

The Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law

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Michelle Oliveira, Esq.,
Michael P. Sams, Esq., Kenney & Sams, PC

Chapter 16 expand

The Family and Medical Leave Act

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Nina J. Kimball, Esq., Kimball Brousseau LLP
Joshua D. Nadreau, Esq., Fisher & Phillips LLP
Katherine R. Reynolds, Fisher & Phillips LLP

Chapter 17 expand

The Small Necessities Leave Act

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Kimberly Y. Jones, Esq., Athena Legal Strategies Group

Exhibit 17A

- Small Necessities Leave Act: Attorney General’s Advisory 98/1 Buy Form

Exhibit 17B

- Small Necessities Leave Act Questions and Answers Buy Form

Exhibit 17C

- Small Necessities Leave Act Snapshot and Checklist Buy Form

Chapter 18 expand

Mental Health Conditions

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Laura Kirshenbaum, Esq., Rose Law Partners, LLP
Alexandra M. Klindienst, Esq.,
Eliza J. Minsch, Esq., Petrucelly, Norris & Minsch, P.C.
Alan D. Rose, Esq., Rose Law Partners, LLP
Alan D. Rose, Jr., Esq., Rose Law Partners, LLP

Checklist 18.1

- Mental Health Conditions: Strategy Options Checklist for the Employee Buy Form

Checklist 18.2

- Mental Health Conditions: Strategy Options Checklist for the Employer Buy Form

Chapter 19 expand

Interrelationships Among Federal and Massachusetts Leave Laws

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Sally L. Adams, Esq., Law Office of Sally L. Adams
Monica Snyder Perl, Fisher & Phillips LLP

Chapter 20 expand

Collective Activity and the National Labor Relations Act

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Nicole H. Decter, Esq., Segal Roitman LLP
Damien M. DiGiovanni, Esq., Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP
Ryan McGovern Quinn, Esq., Segal Roitman LLP

Checklist 20.1

- Checklist to Determine Whether an NLRB Charge Is Appropriately Filed on Behalf of a Disciplined or Discharged Employee Buy Form

Chapter 21 expand

Privacy in the Workplace

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Lawrence J. Casey, Esq., Davis Malm PC
Michelle Cassorla, Esq., Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, PC
Neil V. McKittrick, Esq., Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC

Chapter 22 expand

ERISA

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Evelyn A. Haralampu, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP

Chapter 23 expand

Employee Noncompetition Agreements

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Joseph J. Laferrera, Esq., Gesmer Updegrove LLP
Claire Anne MacCollum, Esq.,

Exhibit 23A

- Example Nondisclosure, Invention, and Noncompetition Agreement Buy Form

Exhibit 23B

- Resource on Employee Noncompetition Agreements Buy Form

Chapter 24 expand

Unemployment for the Uninitiated

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Jason Salgado, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services
Hannah Morgan Yasuko Tanabe, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services

Exhibit 24A

- Unemployment Insurance Centers Statewide List Buy Form

Exhibit 24B

- Request for Personnel Records Buy Form

Exhibit 24C

- Work-Search Log Buy Form

Chapter 25 expand

Availability of Insurance Coverage for Employment Claims

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Jason Curtis, Esq., Curtis Law, PLLC
Paul Holtzman, Esq.,

Checklist 25.1

- Insurance Coverage for Employment Claims: Strategy Options Checklists for the Employee and the Employer Buy Form

Chapter 26 expand

Employment Claims at the MCAD: Client Intake, Forum Review, and Drafting and Filing the Charge

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Jessica Haeffner Beglin, Esq.,
Lucia A. Passanisi, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP
Samantha L. Regenbogen Manelin, Esq., Proskauer Rose LLP

Checklist 26.1

- Checklist for Filling Out an MCAD or EEOC Complaint Form Buy Form

Exhibit 26A

- Example EEOC Charge of Discrimination Form Buy Form

Chapter 27 expand

Employment Claims at the MCAD: Responding to a Complaint, Investigating the Complaint, and the Probable Cause Determination

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Lee Crofton Douthitt, Esq., Goodwin Procter LLP
Joseph L. Edwards, Jr., Esq.,
Lucia A. Passanisi, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP

Checklist 27.1

- Complainant’s Checklist of Settlement Agreement Provisions to Consider in an MCAD Case Buy Form

Checklist 27.2

- Respondent’s Checklist of Settlement Agreement Provisions to Consider in an MCAD Case Buy Form

Chapter 28 expand

Employment Claims at the MCAD: Prehearing, Hearing, and Appeals

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Joseph L. Edwards, Jr., Esq.,
Lucia A. Passanisi, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP
Samantha L. Regenbogen Manelin, Esq., Proskauer Rose LLP

Checklist 28.1

- Checklist for Filing an Appeal of an Adverse Decision of an MCAD Hearing Commissioner to the Full Commission Buy Form

Chapter 29 expand

Wrongful Termination: Interviewing Your Plaintiff-Client and Evaluating and Filing the Claim

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Lori A. Jodoin, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP
Nancy S. Shilepsky, Esq., Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Checklist 29.1

- Terms of the Employment Contract: A Checklist Buy Form

Exhibit 29A

- Telephone Intake Checklist for Wrongful Termination Client Buy Form

Exhibit 29B

- Client Questionnaire: Wrongful Termination Claim Buy Form

Chapter 30 expand

Wrongful Termination: Anticipating Employer Defenses and Counseling Your Plaintiff Client on Strategy Options

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Lori A. Jodoin, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP
Nancy S. Shilepsky, Esq., Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Exhibit 30A

- Sample Demand Letter in Wrongful Termination Case Buy Form

Chapter 31 expand

Wrongful Termination: Litigating a Claim and Taking a Case to Trial

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Lori A. Jodoin, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP
Nancy S. Shilepsky, Esq., Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Exhibit 31A

- Sample Amended Complaint and Jury Demand in Wrongful Termination Case Buy Form

Exhibit 31B

- Sample Proof-of-Pretext Chart Buy Form

Exhibit 31C

- Confidentiality Stipulation Buy Form

Exhibit 31D

- Sample Special Jury Verdict Form Buy Form

Editor(s)

Author(s)