Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
Domestic Partner Rights
I have living with a man for 9 years, we have a 4 year old child together and I have 3 children from a marriage. 18 mo ago he built a house for the family in a town 65 miles from where we were living. We relocted and although it was difficult the children grew to love their new school & friends. In Nov. my partner began acting strangely, smoking pot, staying away. it turns out he is seeing a married woman,is in love and now wants out of the relationship. What are my rights, besides child support for the 1 child? He has in just the past 2 years started making $120K plus per year. I have stayed at home raising the kids, which he viewed as ''ours''. He claims us all on his taxes. I have no money. I got a temp order for support and a restraining order as there have been threats of violence, but am without resources to find out what my rights are. Can I get palimoney? Do I have any rights to the home or savings?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Domestic Partner Rights
Massachusetts doesn't allow "palimony. Of course you can get child support. If you contributed to the purchase of property then a court may order that you receive a fair share of the property. If assets are in your name then you have access to them. It is possible that a court could give you possession of the house as a portion of a child support order