Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
Massachusetts Trial Court’s Child Support Guidelines Task Force members Marilynne R. Ryan, Esq., of Ryan & Faenza in Walpole, and Fern L Frolin, Esq., of Grindle, Robinson, Goodhue & Frolin in Wellesley.
New Child Support Guidelines Released
Discuss changes to the Child Support Guidelines at MBA seminars offered around the state
Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan yesterday announced the promulgation of revised Child Support Guidelines to be effective on Jan. 1, based on a comprehensive review of the guidelines by the Child Support Guidelines Task Force he appointed in 2006. The 12-member Task Force was chaired by Probate and Family Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey.
The report recommended significant, broad-based changes intended to make the guidelines more simple, clear, comprehensive and consistent with economic and societal changes of the last two decades. The recommendations include provisions that place greater value and emphasis on the involvement of both parents in the lives of children; consider the increase in health insurance costs and the requirement of mandatory health insurance in Massachusetts; provide greater guidance relative to when a child support order should be modified; and set forth specific deviation factors for deviation from the guidelines. These guidelines will apply to the circumstances of many more families in the Commonwealth.
In response to the release of the amendments to the Child Support Guidelines, the Massachusetts Bar Association has scheduled several seminars at which members of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Child Support Guidelines Task Force, including Marilynne R. Ryan, Fern L. Frolin and Dr. Mark Sarro, will discuss:
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Changes made to the guidelines calculations and text, if any, and how those changes will likely affect support orders;
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Effectively using the guidelines text to advocate for your clients;
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Appropriate circumstances in which to argue for deviation from the guidelines;
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Initial judicial impressions of the proposed amendments, and changes in orders, if any, that judge panelists expect; and
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Whether proposed amendments will require immediate modification of existing orders.
“The changes to the guidelines are an effort to reflect societal changes, rectify deficiencies in the existing guidelines and provide more guidance and clarification to the Bench and Bar," said MBA program chair Marilynne R. Ryan of Ryan & Faenza in Walpole. "The changes are significant, and the educational programs being offered will assist practitioners in the transition from old to new, answer questions about how to use the new guidelines effectively and understand the rationale behind the changes.”
The MBA is currently offering the Hot Off the Press: The Child Support Guidelines seminars in the following locations:
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4-7 p.m.
Course #: FLJ09
Massachusetts School of Law, 500 Federal St., Andover
Thursday, Nov. 20, 4-7 p.m.
Course #: FLK09
Sheraton, One Monarch Place, Springfield
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m.
Course #: FLH09
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
An additional seminar in Southeastern Massachusetts to be announced
Fees:
Sponsoring section/division (Family Law, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm, Juvenile & Child Welfare, Young Lawyers Division) MBA members: $80; MBA member paralegals, law students, recent admittees: $40; MBA members: $115; and nonmembers: $160.
NOTE: The MBA provides its members with the highest quality CLEs on the topics most pertinent to your practice, at an affordable cost. Compare our Child Support Guidelines programs to those being offered by other providers and see the benefit of your MBA membership. This is another way that the MBA supports your professional success.
To register for these seminars, contact MBA Member Service at (617) 338-0530 or via e-mail.