Mediation is a great alternative to a contested divorce or any post-divorce modifications. After you and your spouse have come to an agreement about the terms of your divorce with a mediator, you should review the agreement with another attorney to make sure that you understand all of the terms.
If you went through a mediation in the past and did not have an attorney review the terms of your agreement outside of the mediation, you should consider reviewing the agreement with an attorney. You or your spouse may not have understood a particular term in the agreement, and you may be missing out on what is rightfully yours.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Importance of Communication
Many people complain that their attorney never returns their phone calls. Attorney client communication is the most important thing that needs to occur during a divorce or criminal defense matter.
Cases are resolved so much more efficiently if the client is in constant communication with the attorney. At the law firm of S. De Oliveira Law, you will get your telephone call returned within 24 hours. We also ask that when our law firm calls you, that you also return the phone call quickly. Frequently we will need a piece of information that only our client has, and we need it quickly. Your case will run much more smoothly and efficiently if you are in communication with your attorney.
Cases are resolved so much more efficiently if the client is in constant communication with the attorney. At the law firm of S. De Oliveira Law, you will get your telephone call returned within 24 hours. We also ask that when our law firm calls you, that you also return the phone call quickly. Frequently we will need a piece of information that only our client has, and we need it quickly. Your case will run much more smoothly and efficiently if you are in communication with your attorney.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Jail Time in Child Support
A Middlesex Judge has ordered a man to go to jail for contempt for failing to support his family. Click here to read the story.
The man owes his family $150,000 in past due support. Usually judges do not order a person to jail unless s/he is blatantly in contempt and has been warned several times in the past that s/he is in contempt.
Child support exists so that the child is supported by both parents. It took two people to have a child and it's unfair that only one person has the sole financial responsibility for that child.
"The custodial parent is not 'ordered' to provide child support because s/he is already supporting the child. Noncustodial parents often forget who has to pay for housing, utilities, food, clothing, and all the other expenses. These expenses typically add up to a lot more than than the noncustodial parent can see.
Noncustodial parents: you have a child and it's your responsibility to help provide for that child."
If you have a child support issue, contact our law firm for a consultation.
The man owes his family $150,000 in past due support. Usually judges do not order a person to jail unless s/he is blatantly in contempt and has been warned several times in the past that s/he is in contempt.
Child support exists so that the child is supported by both parents. It took two people to have a child and it's unfair that only one person has the sole financial responsibility for that child.
"The custodial parent is not 'ordered' to provide child support because s/he is already supporting the child. Noncustodial parents often forget who has to pay for housing, utilities, food, clothing, and all the other expenses. These expenses typically add up to a lot more than than the noncustodial parent can see.
Noncustodial parents: you have a child and it's your responsibility to help provide for that child."
If you have a child support issue, contact our law firm for a consultation.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
New Office Location
S. De Oliveira Law has moved from Somerville to Framingham. Our new location is:
47 Franklin Street, Suite 2A
Framingham, MA 01702
The office space is on the second floor and is really great location for our law firm. Give us a call and make an appointment to come by.
47 Franklin Street, Suite 2A
Framingham, MA 01702
The office space is on the second floor and is really great location for our law firm. Give us a call and make an appointment to come by.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Common Questions about Drunk Driving
What happens if I get caught driving drunk?
For a person caught drunk driving the first time, if there are no accidents or property damages, typically you get a "continued without a finding" and you have to go to a drunk driving program that typically runs 16 weeks. (MAPS officers this program in Portuguese.) You also have to pay fines and court costs which can run over $2500. You also get your license suspended. If you're under the age of 21, the minimum penalties are much worse.
If you are caught driving drunk a 2nd time and there are no accidents or property damage, the minimum penalty is that you will have a 2 years loss of license, 2 years probation, a 14 in-patient drunk driving program, and over $4000 in fees, fines, and court costs. In MA, you face mandatory jail time if you are convicted of drunk driving more than three times.
If your blood alcohol level is greater than .08, you will be taken to jail if you are caught driving. If you have had more than one or two beers, it's in your best interest not to drive.
If you are caught driving drunk or under the influence, you have the right to refuse to take the breath test or to give the police information other than you name and your license. You will automatically lose your license for at least 180 days, but it will be more difficult for the state to find you guilty of driving under the influence.
My advise to you is simple:
Don't drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol because it's not worth it. You may end up killing someone because you are too drunk to drive. It will be far more cheaper for you if you call a taxi cab, have a sober friend drive you, or find a place to spend the rest of the night. A cab/hotel will be a lot less expensive and a lot less dangerous than driving drunk.
For a person caught drunk driving the first time, if there are no accidents or property damages, typically you get a "continued without a finding" and you have to go to a drunk driving program that typically runs 16 weeks. (MAPS officers this program in Portuguese.) You also have to pay fines and court costs which can run over $2500. You also get your license suspended. If you're under the age of 21, the minimum penalties are much worse.
If you are caught driving drunk a 2nd time and there are no accidents or property damage, the minimum penalty is that you will have a 2 years loss of license, 2 years probation, a 14 in-patient drunk driving program, and over $4000 in fees, fines, and court costs. In MA, you face mandatory jail time if you are convicted of drunk driving more than three times.
If your blood alcohol level is greater than .08, you will be taken to jail if you are caught driving. If you have had more than one or two beers, it's in your best interest not to drive.
If you are caught driving drunk or under the influence, you have the right to refuse to take the breath test or to give the police information other than you name and your license. You will automatically lose your license for at least 180 days, but it will be more difficult for the state to find you guilty of driving under the influence.
My advise to you is simple:
Don't drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol because it's not worth it. You may end up killing someone because you are too drunk to drive. It will be far more cheaper for you if you call a taxi cab, have a sober friend drive you, or find a place to spend the rest of the night. A cab/hotel will be a lot less expensive and a lot less dangerous than driving drunk.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Common Questions about Drunk Driving, Part II
Does Massachusetts use a breath test to calculate whether you're drunk or are there other ways?
Police Officers typically use "field tests" to determine if a person is drunk, and then they will use a breathalyzer to confirm their original findings. Officers may decided to administer the breath test when they stop you by your car, or after conducting the "field test," they can take you into the police station to give you a breath test there. You have the right to refuse a breath test, but you will automatically lose your driver's license for at least 180 days if it is your first offense.
Police Officers typically use "field tests" to determine if a person is drunk, and then they will use a breathalyzer to confirm their original findings. Officers may decided to administer the breath test when they stop you by your car, or after conducting the "field test," they can take you into the police station to give you a breath test there. You have the right to refuse a breath test, but you will automatically lose your driver's license for at least 180 days if it is your first offense.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Common Questions about Drunk Driving, Part 1
How much alcohol can one person drink so that you can still legally drive?
It all depends on the size of the person, how much the person has had to eat that day and whether that person is taking medicine because some medicines will increase the effects of alcohol. However, if you're a man or a woman of average size and have no health problems and are not taking any medicines, one or two beers probably will not put you above the legal limit, which in MA is .08 blood alcohol content (b.a.c.) for a person 21 years old or older. If you are under 21, the legal limit is .02. Drinking any alcohol can bring you to .02 or greater.
It all depends on the size of the person, how much the person has had to eat that day and whether that person is taking medicine because some medicines will increase the effects of alcohol. However, if you're a man or a woman of average size and have no health problems and are not taking any medicines, one or two beers probably will not put you above the legal limit, which in MA is .08 blood alcohol content (b.a.c.) for a person 21 years old or older. If you are under 21, the legal limit is .02. Drinking any alcohol can bring you to .02 or greater.
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