Areas of Practice
We treat every client as if they are our only client.
Divorce
Going through a divorce can be a trying time both emotionally and financially. It is especially stressful when you don’t understand the process or the terminology. Atty. Catherine Becker Good is there to provide you with her 31 years of experience in the family law field and to walk you through the confusing maze of divorce. She will clearly explain the process to you and present you with all of your options so that you can make informed decisions. Whether you are facing a simple, uncontested divorce or a more contentious divorce, Atty. Good will fight to protect your rights and your financial security.
Uncontested Divorce
An “uncontested divorce” is one where there are no disputed issues. Both parties agree to each and every legal issue, including property division, custody and support. In an uncontested divorce, the parties file a “joint petition” and present the Court with a written divorce agreement. It is important to have legal representation in the drafting of the divorce agreement because this will be your contract going forward. Divorce attorneys are trained to know what issues need to be addressed and what terminology needs to be included in order to avoid problems in the future. Uncontested divorces follow an expedited process and can often be heard within thirty (30) days of filing. Once allowed, your divorce will become “final” in 120 days. Not only is the uncontested process faster, but it is also less expensive than pursuing a contested divorce.
Post Divorce Actions
Even when it’s over, it’s not necessarily over...Sometimes life can throw you curve balls, such as the loss of a job. Sometimes situations change over time. A child may graduate from college, a spouse may remarry. When faced with these changes, it may be necessary for you to file a Complaint for Modification of your prior court order. Our office can support you through this process.
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In an ideal world, people follow Court Orders. In reality, many Court Orders are broken. If you are dealing with someone who is ignoring a Court Order, we can help you in enforcing the Orders by filing a Complaint for Contempt with the Court. If the other party is found to be in contempt, the Judge may order them to pay your attorney’s fees.
Paternity
The term “paternity” is defined as “legal fatherhood. If a child’s parents are married, paternity is automatically established as a matter of law. When a child’s parents are not married, the father needs to establish paternity through the Court system. Depending on the facts of a particular case, the establishment of paternity may be either straightforward or not so straightforward. You can count on the assistance of Atty. Catherine Becker Good to navigate your through the process and help you work through the issues of custody, support and parenting time.
Prenuptial Agreements
“Premarital agreements" (also known as “prenuptial agreements”) are contracts that a couple enters into prior to marriage. The purpose of these agreements is to protect the property that a party owns prior to marriage as “separate property” in the event of divorce or death. The terms of the agreement are legally binding and are enforceable in Court. While many people associate premarital agreements with subsequent marriages, it is in fact common for parties entering into a marriage for the first time to execute a premarital agreement. Our office can assist you in either drafting a premarital agreement or in reviewing an agreement drafted by your partner’s attorney to ensure that the terms are fair.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) offers parties contemplating divorce an opportunity to resolve the legal issues of their case in an uncontentious way. The advantages to engaging in ADR are numerous. Parties are able to determine their own settlement terms, the divorce process is expedited and the cost of divorce can be a fraction of what parties would pay to litigate their case.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
The purpose of filing for bankruptcy under chapter 7 is to allow people to walk away from their debt and begin the rest of their lives with a fresh start. Once you file, the collection calls stop and litigation is suspended. It is important to know that filing for bankruptcy does not mean that you have to give up everything you own. You can keep your house and your car and your retirement accounts. We will walk you through the bankruptcy process, from preparing the petition to appearing before the Court for the meeting of creditors. All of our clients have successfully filed for, and been granted discharges under chapter 7. Call our office for a free initial consultation.
Criminal Defense
Atty. Catherine Becker Good has been a criminal defense lawyer for the past 31 years and has defended clients in the various district courts across the Commonwealth. She handles all district court cases, including: operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, domestic violence, shoplifting/larceny and motor vehicle offenses. She is knowledgeable, experienced and passionate. Atty. Catherine Becker Good will guide you through the often overwhelming process of the criminal justice system and fight to protect your rights.
Wills & Trusts
We can assist you with everything from drafting a simple will to creating a comprehensive estate plan. Estate planning is perhaps one of the most important ways that you can protect your assets and your family after your death. An estate plan lays the foundation for the distribution of your assets and the payment of your expenses. A well drafted estate plan will streamline the probate process and can help to reduce the taxes that the estate, or beneficiaries of the estate, may have to pay. In coordination with the drafting of a will, we will also prepare a “power of attorney” and “health care proxy”, forms that can protect your interests should you become mentally or physically incapacitated. Please feel free to contact our office to schedule a free initial consultation to answer any questions that you might have regarding this often confusing area of the law.
Serving the Greater Boston Area for 30+ years, including Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Suffolk County, Middlesex County and Bristol County.