Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

i have a scheduled pre-trial hearing for my divorce on the 24th of february 2011. right now am paying $200.oo per week for alimony as per order by the plymouth judge last november 2010. the lawyer i hired didnt do anything at all to my case as he did not defend me at all on my case. i was even ordered to pay her lawyer. in november 2010 i was unable to pay her lawyer fee so the judge put me in jail. i had already paid her lawyer for $3000.00 and of course more coming. she was the one filed for divorce. though she was the one who left the marriage 6 years ago when i was discharged from the hospital to rehab center due to leg injury. i did try to reconcile but to no avail. she got half of the amount when i sold the house as per her lawyers instruction.am paying too our IRS joint account debt. we were married for 40 years but left me 6 years ago. the lawyer i hired is a bankrupcy lawyer and he was the one who gave up my case. please help me. im 68 years old and work 2 jobs and scared to be in jail again. our children are both grown ups.


Asked on 1/26/11, 9:46 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Paul Lancia Attorney Paul Lancia

Call me, I'll help.

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Answered on 1/27/11, 2:02 pm
Nicole Reeves Lavallee Reeves Lavallee, P.C.

I am not sure what type of advice you are looking for. The first thing I would say is to contact a divorce attorney in your area. At the pre-trial hearing all issues must be settled including ll personal property, alimony and health insurance. Just because the Judge previously ordered you to pay does not mean the Judge will make it a permanent Judgment. If you do not like what your attorney or the Judge has to say at pre-trial then you will have a trial (most likely at a later date). It does not make sense that you are working to pay to the attorney. If you were not working and collecting SSI then you probably would not have to pay alimony. The Judge will order you to pay any money outstanding but it would be my suggestion to work out some sort of reasonable payment plan.

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Answered on 1/27/11, 2:08 pm


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