Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Exchange of Visitations

Would a judge allow the exchange of visitations to be between parents and parents only? My Ex husband's girlfriend has been shouting vulgarity out in my driveway and threats infront of my children. Yes there were witnesses.


Asked on 3/17/09, 4:53 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Gregory Lee Gregory P. Lee, Attorney at Law

Re: Exchange of Visitations

This is almost certainly a high-conflict divorce. Indeed, it resembles a fact pattern that has been repeatedly raised by a particular user.

In high-conflict divorces, visitation exchanges often must occur at police stations to provide calm and/or evidence of whop is actually spurring the problems. The court can limit the parties who handle exchanges, but may require the use of a visitation monitor as a shared expense. In addition, parenting coordinators may be needed just to arrange visitation.

Both parties should have attorneys, if at all possible, and neither should substitute for this by over-using assets such as this website. In such cases, one or both parties need substantial counseling to recognize the role each plays in the conflict. Honest self-analysis is required, and honest realization that the system of dysfunction is NOT only the other party's fault.

Both parties should limit the roles of third parties who are not police or paid court monitors. Your significant other is not a useful person if he or she is cursing out the other parent, no matter how outrageous the other parent's behavior is. Use the police or a paid supervisor as your witness, not a girlfriend or boyfriend.

If this is a first-time user, I apologize if the message seems too blunt. I certainly hope that all parents in high-conflict divorces learn to moderate the situation.

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Answered on 3/17/09, 5:15 pm
Gabriel Cheong Infinity Law Group

Re: Exchange of Visitations

You might want to change the location where you exchange children. There are designated drop-off locations staffed with social workers that your probate court probation department could probably recommend.

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Answered on 3/18/09, 12:11 am


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