Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

child support guidlines

With the Massachusetts State guidlines for child support can a parent ask to pay less then what he should?


Asked on 3/12/09, 11:24 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Gabriel Cheong Infinity Law Group

Re: child support guidlines

There is some room for adjustment but it has to be a really really good reason.

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Answered on 3/12/09, 11:49 pm
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: child support guidlines

The Court has some discretion to deviate from the amount recommended by the guidelines, but must make specific findings of fact to justify the deviation, such as out of state travel expense for visitations, etc. Good Luck!

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Answered on 3/16/09, 12:21 pm
Gregory Lee Gregory P. Lee, Attorney at Law

Re: child support guidlines

The court has discretion to deviate from the Guidelines. However, it has to have good cause to do so. Judges do not lightly deviate from the Guidelines, especially in cases in which the custodial parent objects. You need to demonstrate a special hardship to you, or an unusual situation benefiting the child (e.g., spending much more than average time with you).

The text of the Guidelines is available online; a search engine will easily find it using "Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines text."

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Answered on 3/13/09, 7:07 am
henry lebensbaum Law Offices of Henry Lebensbaum (978-749-3606)

Re: child support guidlines

yes, but must present a compelling reason or reasons for this shift.

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Answered on 3/14/09, 6:56 pm


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