Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
71 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
When can someone recover a pre-marriage gift?
|
- If two people are not married and one gives another a gift "in contemplation of marriage" (i.e. an engagement ring), they can get it back
-Any other presents are treated like regular gifts |
|
What is required for a pre-marital/pre-nuptial agreement to be valid?
|
1. must be a subsequent marriage
2. Agreement must be in writing, signed by both parties 3. Two look rule -- (from Austin case in 2005) First look: Must be valid at the time of execution; and Second look: Fair and reasonable at the time of divorce |
|
How does a judge determine if a prenup was valid at the time of execution?
|
1. fair & reasonable, measured by circumstances at time of execution for the economically weaker spouse (but fair and reasonable means simply that the other party not stripped of substantially all marital interests)
2. full disclosure of economic assets at time of entry into agreement 3. Any waiver of alimony is EXPLICIT (say giving up right to COURT-DETERMINED alimony & property distribution) |
|
How does a judge determine whether a prenup is valid at the time of divorce?
|
enforced unless it would leave the contesting spouse indigent ("without sufficient property, maintenance or employment to support herself")
|
|
Are cohabitation agreements enforceable?
|
Yes, so long as there is some consideration other than sex
|
|
What is required to get married in Mass?
|
1. License (shows capacity; 3 day waiting period; good for 60 days; no blood test)
2. Ceremony (officiant, witness, exchange of promises) |
|
What happens if the officiant conducting a marriage lacks authority or if there is an irregularity in the license?
|
Does not effect the validity of your marriage
|
|
Are the benefits of same sex marriage retroactive?
|
No; no loss of consortium claims, for instance, for injuries pre-Goodridge
|
|
When can a couple seek an annulment?
|
When the marriage was either VOID or VOIDABLE due to some impediment at the time of marriage
|
|
Must a party seek an annulment to get out of a VOID marriage?
|
No, a party can just leave because the marriage is a legal nothing; however, they could nonetheless secure an annulment for clarity of the record and collateral remedies
|
|
Can an impediment making a marriage void be waived?
|
No; void marriages are against public policy
|
|
What are the primary examples of void marriages?
|
bigamy and incest
|
|
Can void marriages be attacked by 3rd parties?
|
yes
|
|
Can voidable marriages be attacked by 3rd parties?
|
No
|
|
Can an impediment making a marriage voidable be waived?
|
yes; staying in the marriage after learning waives this
|
|
What relatives cannot marry in Mass?
|
Mass looks at both affinity and consanguinity. A person cannot marry:
► A parent or stepparent ► An aunt or uncle ► A grandparent or grandparent's spouse ► Your child or child's spouse ► Grand kids ► Nieces/nephew ► In-laws ► Stepkids **Note that it is legit to marry a first cousin in Mass. |
|
What are the grounds for a voidable marriage?
|
(1) Under age, have to be 18; but if you stay in marriage after age 18 = ratified
(2) Lack of mental capacity (includes SEVERE intoxication; can be waived once incapacity is removed) (3) Duress. (But waived if you stay in marriage after threat is removed) (4) Fraud. (must go to "an essential aspect of the marriage.") |
|
What are "essential aspects of the marriage" for purposes of finding fraud?
|
Matters relating to religion, sex & procreation
NOT anything related to finances or status |
|
What are grounds for fault based divorce in MA?
|
a) Adultery (proved by circumstantial evidence of opportunity and inclination);
b) Cruel and abusive treatment (physical or mental); c) Desertion - departs for 1 yr without consent or justification d) Drug or alcohol dependency - "voluntary, gross and confirmed" e) Imprisonment for a term of 5 or more years f) Non-support - must be "gross and cruel" g) Physical impotence that is incurable |
|
What are the defenses to fault based divorce?
|
a) Condonation - knowledge of the marital misconduct, forgave it and that the parties have resumed "co-habitation" (but courts reluctant to find condonation where there is violence)
b) Collusion (largely obsolete) - fraud on the court c) Connivance (largely obsolete) - essentially entrapment d) Insanity |
|
what are the grounds for a no fault divorce?
|
"irretrievable breakdown" of the marriage
|
|
What is the process for an uncontested no-fault divorce?
|
-parties prepare a separation agmt; hammer out economic issues
-File divorce petition & court schedules a hearing -If court approves the substance of the separation agmt and finds that there is an irretrievable breakdown then it will enter a "judgment nisi" within 30 days after hearing -Becomes a final divorce 90 days thereafter |
|
What is the process for a contested (unilateral) no-fault divorce?
|
-no separation agreement bec. the parties don't agree
-Hearing cannot be held until at least six months after filing -Hearing to see if irretrievably broken (but testimony of one party that its irretrievably broken is pretty strong evidence that it is) -Court enters judgment nisi, becomes final 90 days later |
|
What court are divorce proceedings brought in?
|
Probate
|
|
What is necessary for personal jurisdiction over a divorce?
|
To have personal jurisdiction, one party must be domiciled here and either:
1. Resident for 1 year 2. Or grounds for divorce arose here |
|
Does the court need personal jurisdiction to issue a divorce?
|
No; if you only want to have marriage dissolved, you just need subject matter jurisdiction
But if you want any other remedies (property distribution, etc.), you need to have personal jurisdiction over both parties |
|
What kind of service of process is required for a divorce?
|
Required to make service -- personal service preferred where possible
|
|
Does MA recognize an out-of-state bilateral divorce?
|
Always; full faith and credit
|
|
Does MA recognize a unilateral out of state divorce?
|
Yes, Mass will give full faith & credit IF the party who procured it was domiciled in the forum
|
|
Does MA recognize an out-of-country bilateral divorce?
|
case by case recognition; depends on the equities
|
|
Does MA recognize an out-of-country unilateral divorce?
|
Never
|
|
Is alimony automatic in MA? What is considered?
|
Not automatic; nor forfeited by marital misconduct.
Court looks at: -length of marriage -conduct during marriage -age/health/station in life -amount and sources of income for each -vocational skills/employability -estate of each party -liabilities and needs of each -opportunities for future assets/income for each |
|
Who may marry in MA?
|
Anyone with:
-sufficient mental capacity -sufficient age -lack of incestuous relationship -not currently married -gender not a bar |
|
Is there common law marriage in MA?
|
No
|
|
how is marriage defined in MA?
|
voluntary union of two persons as spouses, to the exclusion of all others
|
|
What are the defenses to a voidable marriage?
|
-impediment doesn't exist
-ratification -laches -estoppel |
|
Can alimony be awarded as compensation for one spouse's contribution to the other's business during marriage?
|
No
|
|
When can alimony awards be modified?
|
always modifiable while both are alive; requires "material change in the circumstances"
-remarriage does not terminate -bankruptcy does not discharge |
|
What property does MA look to for property distribution?
|
ALL property to which the parties hold title, whenever and however acquired ("one pot" method)
|
|
What do MA courts consider in property division?
|
Same factors as for alimony
-length of marriage -conduct during marriage -age/health/station in life -amount and sources of income for each -vocational skills/employability -estate of each party -liabilities and needs of each -opportunities for future assets/income for each PLUS -MUST consider present & future needs of dependent kids -MAY consider the contribution of each to the acquisition, preservation and appreciation of marital property -MAY consider the contribution of a party as a homemaker |
|
What property is subject to property division?
|
Pretty much anything, including intangible assets such as stock options, vested rights in pension plans, 401k, 457b etc. as well as $ from lottery, workers comp, personal injury awards, inheritance received
(But it does NOT include VA disability payments) |
|
What kind of review does the court do of a separation agreement?
|
-agreement subject to court approval (if "fair and reasonable")
-court has power to modify agreement if it is not fair, reasonable and free from fraud |
|
When can a settlement agreement be changed subsequent to divorce?
|
-anything re: kids ALWAYS subject to modification/judicial oversight
-property division NOT modifiable -other provisions depend on whether the agreement was "merged" or "incorporated" 1) if merged, it is as if the court has transcribed the words into the court's decree; thus always modifiable -if INCORPORATED, the contract survives as an independent legal document; modification "requires something more than a material change in circumstances" |
|
Is a self-induced reduction in income sufficient to reduce alimony?
|
No
|
|
What is separate support?
|
procedure whereby a party to a marriage obtains court protection without dissolving the marriage; does not require physical separation.
Grounds are desertion, living apart for justifiable cause, and failure to support |
|
What is the standard for determining custody of minor children?
|
Best interests of the child
|
|
what is the marital child presumption and how can it be defeated?
|
Child born a married woman, presumption is that husband is the father.
If another person wants to prove he's father, or if husband wants to prove he is not the father, requires "clear and convincing evidence" |
|
How long does the obligation to support a child last?
|
-continues at least until age 18
-can continue through age 21 if kid continuing to live at home & dependent on parent -can be extended to age 23 if in school or until kid earns a bachelor's degree -If child has a disability preventing him/her from being self-supporting, then the support obligation continues for the kid's life |
|
Does child support end at the parent's death?
|
No;can be enforced against the estate
|
|
What are the types of custody?
|
Physical custody - where the kid actually lives
Legal custody - who makes the decisions about the kid Either type can be exclusive to one parent or shared by both |
|
How is the amount of child support determined?
|
Look to the child support guidelines formula; but does not apply if noncustodial parent income greater than 100k or combined parental income greater than 135k a year (court applies equitable discretion) or if child support agreement which is "fair and reasonable"; if parents share or spit physical custody; or if guidelines would be unfair or inappropriate
|
|
When can child support be modified?
|
Like alimony, can be modified where substantial change in circumstances & in best interests of the child, e.g.special, enhanced needs of the child or non-custodial parent gets MORE money.
|
|
How are child support orders enforced if noncustodial parent doesn't pay?
|
Three most common methods:
1. Asset seizure -- bank account seizure, car, etc. 2. Wage attachment -- "wage reduction order" directed to the employer of the nonpaying parent 3. Contempt - can hold the parent in contempt of court, can put in jail **note that Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) - provides for direct interstate enforceability of these orders |
|
What court has jurisdiction over child support orders & modification?
|
for FIRST custody determination, state must either be home state of the child or it was the home state of the child within the last six months and a parent still lives there
Under Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), the first court issuing the order has "continuing exclusive jurisdiction" so long as the kid lives there. Order is enforceable interstate. |
|
What kind of factors might a court look at to make a custody determination?
|
Completely discretionary, anything that could be relevant to the best interests of the child. Examples:
-Wishes of the parties (parents, kids particularly over age 12) -Age & health of the parties, including mental health -History of domestic violence (reversible error to fail to put in findings about DV) -Parent in a new relationship and who that person is -Substance abuse probs -One placement would allow siblings to be together -If considering shared/joint custody, do the parents cooperate? Do they live near each other? |
|
When can a non-biological parent get custody or visitation?
|
generally need to be a "de facto parent"
1)participated in the childs life 2)with whom the kid has resided with the consent & encouragement of the bio parent 3) who has performed the functions of a parent **Though it is generally presumed that the best interests of the child support placement with a bio parent (thumb on the scale), thus non-bio parent has a higher burden (bio parent has to be nearly unfit) |
|
When can grandparents get visitation over the objections of a fit parent?
|
must rebut the presumption that the parent's decision is legally valid with a preponderance of the evidence that denial of visitation will cause "significant harm" to the child
|
|
Can a grandparent seek visitation if a kid has been adopted by another family?
|
No.
|
|
When can the state intervene re: medical treatment for a child?
|
where parents refuse to consent to potentially lifesaving treatment for the kid
|
|
Can a parent take a kid from another parent prior to a custody proceeding?
|
Not a crime under the Mass. parental kidnapping act -- makes it a crime to take a kid under 18 without legal authority to do so.
|
|
What consent is necessary to effectuate an adoption in MA?
|
-If adoptee is a minor, need consent of the biological mother and father (unless parent's rights involuntarily terminated by state)
-If adoptee is over age 12, need consent from the adoptee -Dept. of Social Services, but nonconsent can be overruled by the court |
|
Who can adopt whom in MA?
|
anyone of majority can adopt a person of younger age except a spouse, sibling, aunt or uncle
|
|
When is parental consent not necessary for an adoption?
|
-parental rights involuntarily terminated by state (court finds by clear & convincing evidence that bio parents are unfit)
-or court decides it is in best interests of child to not require |
|
When can parental rights be terminated?
|
1. emancipation
2. surrender to an authorized adoption agency 3. judicial termination a) Abandonment - failure to have any contact & failure to pay support b) Abuse - physical, sexual, could be mental, violence c) Neglect - failure to provide food, clothing & medical care to a child |
|
How is abuse defined by the abuse prevention statute?
|
attempting to cause or causing physical harm, placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm, or causing another to involuntarily engage in sexual relations by force, threat or duress
|
|
Who can seek protection via the abuse prevention statute?
|
any person who suffers abuse whether from family/household member, or another party with whom the abused has a significant relationship
|
|
What remedies are available under the abuse prevention statute?
|
order to:
1) refrain from abusing P 2) refrain from contacting P 3) vacate & remain away from household 4) surrender custody of kids 5) pay temporary support to P and/or kids 6) refrain from abusing P's child 7)pay monetary compensation to P **can also order suspension of firearms license |
|
When can the court issue a temporary order without notice under the abuse prevention statute?
|
where necessary to protect P from abuse, but must schedule hearing not later than 10 court business days after entered
|
|
How long may a protection order last?
|
for the fixed period stated; not longer than 1 year
|
|
How can protection orders be modified?
|
any time after a hearing on a motion by either party
|
|
How does MA define stalking?
|
- willfully & maliciously engaging in a knowing pattern of conduct directed at a specific person
-that seriously alarms or annoys that person and would cause a reason. person to suffer subst. emotional distress -and makes a threat with the intent to place the person in immediate fear of death or bodily injury |