Legal Insights

A serious illness, a family member’s care needs, or the arrival of a child can raise immediate questions about income and employment. Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) provides partial wage replacement to eligible workers and employment protections for qualifying employees. Understanding the program requires separating three questions: whether the worker qualifies, how much leave is available, and what protections apply at work. What circumstances qualify? Me

Few legal matters are more emotionally difficult than disputes involving child custody. In Massachusetts, custody cases often arise during divorce proceedings, paternity actions, post-divorce disputes, or situations involving disagreements over parenting decisions, relocation, school choice, or visitation schedules.

Historical article. Historical background as of 08/12/2024: Governor Maura Healey signed the Massachusetts Parentage Act on 08/09/2024. Its principal parentage changes were scheduled to take effect on 01/01/2025. This article discusses that enactment in its original 2024 context; it is not a guide to later filing procedures.