Armstrong Law, P.C.

08/26/2024

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/reunification-therapy-custody-family-court-5b4e9279?st=zdoaoca1fgar4zc&reflink=article_email_share

A controversial treatment used in custody fights can keep family members apart for years against children’s wishes. “It all absolutely destroyed me.”

10/20/2021

Armstrong Law proudly announces that Nicole Armstrong has been named among the 2021 Massachusetts Super Lawyers®.

Super Lawyers® is an annual list of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selection for Super Lawyers includes peer nominations, a blue-ribbon panel review process and independent research on candidates, for which no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected.

11/24/2020

NAVIGATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH COVID-19:
CREATE A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS

The following are useful tools to help divorced/separated parents sharing custody get through the upcoming holidays in the midst of a continuing pandemic with a minimum of conflict and stress.

As we begin this holiday season, I reach out to encourage parents to continue cooperating with each other to ensure that children have safe, healthy parenting time. Although I do not know exactly what we will experience in the upcoming weeks, there is no doubt that the holidays will feel different t...

07/18/2020

05/11/2020

New Middlesex North Probate and Family Court division now open in Lowell Justice Center! (Subject to COVID19 procedures)

04/13/2020

“COVID-19 is not a basis in itself to modify a parenting plan,” Judge David King said. “As inconvenient as the parenting plan may be during this time, parents still must comply.”

One emergency request to modify visitation came from a pregnant mother now living with her elderly parents, both of whom suffer from severe medical issues.Another petition came from the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families seeking...

04/09/2020

New Battle for Those on Coronavirus Front Lines: Child Custody
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/us/coronavirus-child-custody.html

03/25/2020

SEVEN GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS WHO ARE
DIVORCED/SEPARATED AND SHARING CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC

03/25/2020

Do I have to facilitate parenting exchanges w/fear of the corona virus? In short - yes.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
THE TRIAL COURT
PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Three Center Plaza, Suite 210
Boston, MA 02108

John D. Casey Chief Justice

March 24, 2020

Greetings,

These are challenging times for everyone, including all staff of the Probate and Family Court and those of the other Trial Court Departments. I want to publicly thank the staff, the bar associations, and all our partners for working together to ensure that we are able to administer justice for those individuals who need us.

It is times like this, when society faces threats once thought unimaginable, that the rule of law is more important than ever. Because of the great dedication and sacrifices of our staff, we remain available to enter orders and enforce existing orders in emergency situations. If you have exceptional/exigent circumstances, you should contact your local court.

Parenting orders are not stayed during this period of time. In fact, it is important that children spend time with both of their parents and that each parent have the opportunity to engage in family activities, where provided for by court order. In cases where a parent must self-quarantine or is otherwise restricted from having contact with others, both parents should cooperate to allow for parenting time by video conference or telephone.

To help parents, and in turn so that parents can help their children, we have amended the mandatory parent education requirements. Information about this can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/advisory/clarification-to-parent-education-procedures-in-section-h-1-of-probate-and-family-court.

There is information on our website about co-parenting during this stressful and difficult time. The link is: https://www.afccnet.org/Coronavirus. In addition, the leaders of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers published these seven guidelines for parents who are divorced/separated and sharing custody of children during the COVID 19 Pandemic. They can be found at: https://www.afccnet.org/Portals/0/COVID19Guidelinesfordivorcedparents.FINAL.pdf?ver=2020-03-17-202849-133 and on our website.

/s/ John D. Casey
John D. Casey
Chief Justice
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court

02/21/2020

https://www.wmur.com/article/divorce-experts-advice/31010136

Here's what family lawyers wish everyone knew before they tied the knot.

01/06/2020

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/style/january-divorce-month.html

While some lawyers see an increase in divorce filings after the holidays, one study said March and August are actually the months when it’s more common for couples to split.