Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Contempt
I was in Court with the Ex on a contempt -- we both had lawyers. Appx 11AM both lawyers came out of mediation & mine tells me it is resolved & mediator sent them to speak with their clients. The ex's lawyer leaves the bldg to go across the street for another case and does not return for over an hour by then the mediator went to lunch. My question is -- should/could my attorney and/or the mediator when the other attorney left continue with the case without her telling the Ex that he needs to get her back or he will be without representative. My attorney is still on my payroll all this time because the other attorney left. I felt that the mediator and/or my attorney should have/could have done something that this other attorney should not have been able to just walk away when our case was still in process.

Asked on 8/20/08, 10:27 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Gregory Lee Gregory P. Lee, Attorney at Law

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Re: Contempt

This is unfortunately part of the court process. While I try to avoid having multiple matters scheduled, we all occasionally have multiple matters. The matter could not have proceeded without the other party's attorney.

In some cases, the "multi-tasking" is outrageous. If this took two hours (as your message implies) and broke into lunch, it may reach that level. However, again, if the other attorney is not a habitual abuser, and this was an unusual situation, you at least have the right to be annoyed.

In the end, you should be wary of this happening -again- if you should be in court with the same attorney. The Court might pay attention to a complaint at that point.

Answered on 8/20/08, 11:29 am

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