Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Divorce Settlement-Question: Is this off the charts?

My brother is about ready to sign his divorce agreement. He was married for 24 years, one child who lives with his wife. He is agreeing to pay every single bill for the marital home, PLUS extra grocery money and money for maid service, as well as his wife's car insurance. She will not pay a thing, and this will be for three years, until the child graduates high school. She has a good career, though works part time (about $40K). My brother has to refinance the marital home in order to make a life for himself. His lawyer tells him this is the best deal, since his wife is ''waiving her right to alimony''. Hard to know where to begin with question on this, but shouldn't this woman be contributing something to this equation. He does make more money than she does, but to me, this sounds ridiculous and I am concerned that he is being misled. Plus in Mass. now, alimony is not a ''must'' anymore, or just short term, am I correct? So ex's waiving of alimony mut not mean much. His lawyer has not exactly been diligent and I personally think she dropped the ball. He is going to be strapped for 3 years and I think he is giving up way too much. Should he have gone the court route?? Thank you ---name removed--B.


Asked on 6/12/06, 12:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: Divorce Settlement-Question: Is this off the charts?

If your BROTHER, and not just you, is unsure if the divorce agreement is in his best interest, HE should ask his present attorney for a copy of his complete file (if he does not already have a copy) and take that to an independent lawyer whom he can ask for a second opinion, BEFORE signing the proposed agreement. Thereafter, he can proceed accordingly.

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Answered on 6/13/06, 12:04 pm


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