Family Law | Coren Lichtenstein LLP

Seeking a Fair Hearing When DCF has Supported an Allegation of Neglect or Abuse Against You

Posted on July 17, 2025

Has the Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) supported an allegation of neglect or abuse against you, or found there to be a substantiated concern of neglect or abuse of your child or a child for whom you are a caregiver? If so, you have a right to appeal the decision by...

Coren Lichtenstein, LLP Wins Jury Verdict in Difficult Invasion of Privacy/Emotional Distress Case

Posted on July 18, 2019

Attorney E. Steven Coren represented a client in a case involving invasion of privacy and emotional distress claims against the client’s ex-husband and his sister-in-law for unlawfully accessing and disseminating her highly confidential psychiatric records. By way of background, the firm’s client was psychiatrically hospitalized for one week in...

Psychologists: Keep your Custody Opinions to Yourself

Posted on April 25, 2017

Board of Registration of Psychologists rules prohibit giving opinions Psychologists try to help their clients. Whether a client needs intense psychotherapy, advice, or just someone to talk to, a psychologist’s job is to listen to, and treat their clients. Against that backdrop, a well meaning psychologist can get into...

I Wish I Had Known…Advice for Adjusting to New Custody and Parenting Plans

Posted on March 2, 2016

Divorce can be a painful and difficult process especially when children are involved. The arrival of the final divorce judgment day can bring an overwhelming sense of relief and closure. In some cases, however, the change in family dynamics can present new emotions as the family begins to adjust to their new schedules...

Top Ten Reasons to Choose Divorce Mediation

Posted on December 10, 2015

Divorce Mediation Divorce Mediation is an alternative available to divorcing couples that would like to play an active role in the decision making process. A divorce mediator is a neutral third party hired by a couple that wishes to pursue a divorce in a non-threatening controlled environment. The...

What Does a “Do Not Resuscitate” Notice in a Person’s Home Mean?

Posted on August 15, 2013

Occasionally, I see a Massachusetts “DNR Notice” in someone’s home (usually the home of an elderly person). The notice is formally named a “Comfort Care-Do Not Resuscitate” notice – “CC/DNR” for short. Recently, I noticed a CC/DNR in an elderly client’s home. The client said that she didn’t know much about the...

New Taxes for 2013

Posted on January 5, 2013

The package of US health care reform laws imposes new taxes starting in 2013. These are not part of the so-called “fiscal cliff”. A solution to the “fiscal cliff” will probably not affect the taxes discussed in this article. Part 1 – 3.8% Surtax On Certain Amounts and Kinds...

The New Massachusetts Alimony Statue: What Does it Do?

Posted on July 20, 2012

Massachusetts recently enacted a new comprehensive alimony law which took effect March 1, 2012. The new law is a substantial change from what was the prevailing “old” alimony law. In some ways the old law was inequitable and could cause seemingly unfair consequences. Some of the most important changes which are viewed...

It’s official: the Massachusetts Alimony Law has Passed

Posted on November 21, 2011

On September 26, 2011, Governor Patrick signed the long-awaited alimony bill into law, potentially ending many lifetime alimony awards across the state. The previous Massachusetts law required the court to consider a number of factors when determining alimony, but it did not provide guidelines for judges to determine the length of the...

Elder Bullying Happens Too

Posted on October 31, 2011

Imagine this scenario: you walk into a cafeteria filled with others who are giving you dirty looks, pointing and laughing at you, whispering things to their friends as you walk by, and not allowing you to sit with them. Am I talking about middle school? High school? Well, it certainly happens there,...

Serious Advice from the Experts

Posted on June 2, 2011

The recent devastating tornadoes in central Massachusetts should give everyone pause, as no one is immune to natural disasters. Even if tornadoes don’t return to Massachusetts this Summer, there are obviously other kinds of natural calamities that can jeopardize life, limb or property. In the wake of the central Mass....