Divorce & Family Law

Our firm handles many family law matters, including:

A divorce signals the end of a union that was established with the expectation that it would last forever.   In addition to the feelings of sadness and anger that often accompany a divorce, it also raises complicated issues and puts a great deal of stress on the parties and family members involved.  We are here to help you through this difficult process and to achieve a resolution most favorable to you, the client.  We will also work for a result in the best interests of the children involved. 

During the pendency of a divorce, many issues must be considered, such as:

• Who will cover the family expenses, such as the mortgage and car payments, during the divorce process.

• Whether there will be alimony or another form of spousal support paid from one party to another. 

• Which parent will pay child support to the other, and how much.

• Issues of child care and visitation, legal custody of the children, and whether there will be joint physical custody or, instead, one parent will have the primary physical custody of the children.

• Who will provide medical insurance for the family, and who will make decisions about the children’s medical care. 

• Whether the support provider will be required to maintain life insurance for the spouse and minor children. 

• How the assets of the marriage, including the home, the bank accounts, and the tangible property, will be divided between the parties. 

You will have many more questions as you go through the divorce process, and we will be here to assist you throughout.   We have dealt with the division of sophisticated financial portfolios and often employ the help of experts, including appraisers, actuaries, and accountants in resolving complicated valuation issues.  When necessary in custody disputes, we will ask the court to appoint a Guardian ad litem, an independent investigator who will determine the best interests of the children.  We also have an experienced and knowledgeable support staff, some of whom have been with this firm for eighteen to twenty years.   

In addition to dealing with divorces, we handle a number of other family law matters, including paternity actions, petitions for guardianship, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.   We also handle many post-divorce matters such as modifications, which may include changes in support, visitation, or custody; contempts; and removal, an action brought before the court when one spouse wishes to move out of state with the children.  If you and your spouse already have a mediated divorce agreement, we are able to review it on your behalf and to present it to the court for approval.  If you wish to try mediation as an alternative to filing a contested action with the court, our attorneys can serve as mediators in your disputes.

Our firm has the knowledge, expertise, and compassion to help you through the divorce process and to attain the best result available to you.  While we wish to decrease the stress involved in family law matters by negotiating a fair outcome, we will represent your interests zealously if your matter requires litigation.  Graham & Harsip, P.C.

Suite 101
289 Great Road
Acton, MA 01720
Phone: 978/264-0480
Fax: 978/264-4990
Email: barryharsip@graham-harsip.com