The Law Offices of Christine G. Debernardis, Esq.

The Law Offices of Christine G. Debernardis, Esq. Explaining Your Options...Getting you Results. Your family matters. Let me help you get your desir

We care about your case and strive to get you the best outcome possible for criminal law, divorce, custody/visitation/support, post-divorce, debt collection, paternity, real estate transactions, landlord/tenant issues, employment related matters, incorporation, debt collection and estate planning. Our goal is to help you understand every aspect of your legal matter to ensure you have a successful

outcome. We will review the applicable law and show you how it applies to the facts of your case. We will advise you of the different possible outcomes in your case and provide you with all the information that you need to make your decisions along the way. We will guide you through the legal process and advise you of the probable outcome of each and every step of your case. We will take the time to understand your needs and concerns and do our best to be mindful of the issues that are most important to you.

A while back I wrote an article telling you about a CWOF. What is it? How does it work? What does it entail? You can che...
08/16/2026

A while back I wrote an article telling you about a CWOF. What is it? How does it work? What does it entail? You can check that article out here: What is a CWOF. Recently I have had a number of questions about the process of CWOF, including whether it can be done a second time around. The purpose of this article is to expand a little on the CWOF and address those inquiries.
CWOF - Continuance without a finding
A CWOF is a potential disposition of a criminal matter. CWOF stands for “continuance without a finding.” This is a disposition that is meant for a first time offender, one that has not had a criminal matter in a long time or other person with a short record. This is a step before a guilty finding and is not available after trial.

In short, a CWOF is gives you the opportunity to avoid having a criminal record.

In Massachusetts, a CWOF is a disposition that is meant for a first time offender, one that has not had a criminal matter in a long time or other person with a short record. This is a step before a guilty finding and is not available after trial

Nobody wants to think about their death. It's unpleasant no matter how you look at it. However, planning ahead is more ...
08/15/2026

Nobody wants to think about their death. It's unpleasant no matter how you look at it. However, planning ahead is more than simply dividing up your worldly assets. It can ensure that your children are cared for by the person that you prefer. Planning ahead can prevent fighting amongst your family over your property. Planning ahead gives you the peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out when you are no longer here to oversee things.

Estate Planning gives you the peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out when you are no longer here to oversee things.

A large concern during divorce consultation is the marital home. What will happen? Can I stay? Will I be forced out? Can...
08/14/2026

A large concern during divorce consultation is the marital home. What will happen? Can I stay? Will I be forced out? Can I afford it? How will the Court decide to which party the home is awarded? The answers to these questions will often determine the outcome of other issues within the property distribution.

Join me this week for the most frequently posted questions on this topic: What Happens to the Family Home in a divorce?

Let's start with some initial questions.

What is a marital home?

This is where the parties lived during their marriage (or during the last several years of their marriage). This can be either an apartment or home, rented or owned.

What if the deed and/or the mortgage are held in my husband’s name only? Does that make it “his house?”

It does not matter in whose name title is held. What matters is when the home was purchased, with which funds the home was paid for initially, which funds paid mortgage payments and with which funds the home was maintained.

What Happens to the Family Home in a Divorce will depend on a number of factors such as who paid for the home initially, who has paid for upkeep

In August, I wrote about the Parent that Used to Be Absent. This is a follow up article to that post about re-establish...
08/13/2026

In August, I wrote about the Parent that Used to Be Absent. This is a follow up article to that post about re-establishing parenting time and what to realistically expect when trying to do so.

NH, MA family lawyers at the Law Offices of Christine G. DeBernadis, Esq provide solutions in difficult situations. Call us for a free phone consultation.

How to Build Financial Security When Facing DivorceIf you see divorce or separation looming in your future, there are wa...
08/12/2026

How to Build Financial Security When Facing Divorce
If you see divorce or separation looming in your future, there are ways to plan ahead and build financial security to prepare for what could be a financially difficult time ahead. Here are some tips for you to prepare for the future if you suspect that times are tough in your marriage.

Open an individual bank account. If you don’t already have a bank account in your name only, get one. Save here and there when you can. Have a place where you have your own funds for emergency access when necessary. Even if these are marital funds to be shared later, have an accessible account with monies set aside.

Get a credit card. Particularly if you are not the bread winner in your family, apply for a credit card before the divorce has been initiated. This way, you can use the full household income in your application and you can begin building credit. Use the card here and there and pay it off monthly to build credit.

How to Build Financial Security When Facing Divorce - the Law Offices of Christine G DeBernardis, Esq. provide compassion and experience.

While you hate to give up time with your child, you know that the visitation with his other parent is good for their rel...
08/11/2026

While you hate to give up time with your child, you know that the visitation with his other parent is good for their relationship, can be a very positive thing and (let’s face it) is a little break for you. Even if you don’t look forward to that time when your child is with the other parent, your child certainly does.

Often, I receive inquiries from custodial parents (where the child lives most of the time) about visitation. The other parent doesn’t show up for visitation. He’s always late/early for visitation. She is haphazard about visitation. He doesn’t seem to care about visitation. He does nothing with the child on his visits. She leaves the child wither parents during visits while she works. He goes out with friends when the child visits. So, what can be done about these issues?

For today, let’s discuss missed visits or issues with drop off/ pick up. What happens if mom/dad doesn’t show up time after time? What happens if mom is always late?

Clear legal answers on family law for parents and spouses in NH & MA. Get trusted guidance from family law attorney Christine G. DeBernardis.

The issue of visitation rights for grandparent’s rights is governed by Massachusetts G.L. c. 119, s. 39D. Grandparents m...
08/10/2026

The issue of visitation rights for grandparent’s rights is governed by Massachusetts G.L. c. 119, s. 39D. Grandparents may seek visitation, “grandparent’s rights,” through the Court with their “unmarried minor” grandchildren if:

(1) the parents are divorced, married but living apart, or under a temporary order or judgment of separate support; or
(2) one or both parents are deceased; or
(3) if the child was born out of wedlock, the parents do not reside together and the paternity of the child has been established by a court or by a signed acknowledgment. (Maternal grandparents may proceed even in cases where the paternity has not been established.)

In these situations, the grandparent can file a petition at the Probate and Family Court in the county in which the divorce or separate support complaint or the complaint to establish paternity was filed.

A grandparent can have legal rights to visitation in Massachusetts in certain circumstances.

How to Save Money During Divorce - Gather/organize/prepare. During the process, there will be requests for information a...
08/09/2026

How to Save Money During Divorce

- Gather/organize/prepare. During the process, there will be requests for information and documents. When you receive these, take the time to gather everything, organize it and prepare it in accordance with your attorney’s directions. If you bring a box of papers or an unorganized mess to your attorney, you incur further costs for him/her to organize and prepare it all.



- Ask your attorney: The beauty of having an attorney is guidance through his/her experience. That not only allows you to do it the right way – but to do it the right way the first time. Ask your attorney questions even if you think that they are “stupid” or trivial.



- Listen to your attorney. After you’ve asked your attorney, listen to what s/he says! Often additional costs are incurred when you don’t listen to what your attorney says. If s/he gives you instructions for gathering documents, listen.

Ways to Save Money During a Divorce

Whether you are simply contemplating the idea of divorce or in the middle of a full-on legal battle, your best bet with ...
08/08/2026

Whether you are simply contemplating the idea of divorce or in the middle of a full-on legal battle, your best bet with your social media accounts is to disconnect them. Turn them off. Shut them down. Stop posting. Make it impossible for people to post to your account. “Go dark.” Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google. Shut them all down. Every Single. One. Of. Them. Simply put, divorce and social media do not mix.

I know…you think I am overreacting. You see these social media sites as a harmless way to keep family and friends apprised of your goings on; swap photos of pets, kids or the like; plan get togethers; chat and keep up with friends. Sure, the social media sites do exactly that. But in harmless ways, or not-so-harmless ways, your social media can come back to bite you.

When in the middle of a divorce or separation, divorce and social media do not mix. Your best bet with your social media accounts is to disconnect them.

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