DiBella Law Offices, P.C. is a full-service legal firm covering personal injury, family law, real estate, traffic accidents, criminal defense, worker’s compensation, drunk driving, estate planning, and more. For hardworking people with tough problems, Chris DiBella grinds out practical solutions for clients throughout the states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Call us today for a free consultation.
Divorce is a process for legally terminating a marriage. The divorce classifications include either “fault” or “no fault” and “contested” or “uncontested.” A contested divorce implies that the parties do not agree on the terms of the divorce, while uncontested means the parties are in agreement on how they wish to proceed. A divorce based on a fault means that one party seeks to terminate the marriage based on actions such as adultery, desertion, imprisonment, or other reasons. The no fault divorce, is commonly referred to as a marriage that has reached an “irretrievable break”.
Child Support
Judges may issue orders for financial reasons such as child support or alimony and enforce them through a trustee process. This insures that the obligor’s employer or other income source(s) transmit a determined amount of funds each pay period.
Child Custody and Visitation
Courts can make child custody determination orders, outlining the arrangements for any minor children based on what will best provide for the child’s happiness and welfare. Courts may assess the potential living arrangements in relation to the child’s physical, mental, and emotional health. There are several custody variations...
Paternity
Premarital Agreement
Massachusetts allows those entering a marriage to create a contract outlining how property will be divided if the marriage is terminated. Such contracts are referred to as premarital or prenuptial agreements. Without a premarital agreement, a couple terminating their marriage must agree on asset division. Parties not in agreement may have the court conduct an equitable distribution of assets. MA property law is such that all assets are subject to distribution, regardless of who acquired them or when they were acquired. Judges have significant latitude in determining a fair and reasonable split, as there is no specific formula. The judge will weigh a host of factors such as the length of marriage, as well as the health, income, and employability of each party.
Spousal Support
Courts may order support be paid to either party in the form of alimony, along with support for any children from the marriage. In the interim period of the divorce process, courts may issue temporary orders. The court may also assign responsibility for health coverage when applicable. Child support is partially determined based on state guidelines, and varies according to what is determined to be in the child’s best interest. In addition (or instead of), courts may award assets from the estate as compensation. These assets could be in the form of property, retirement plans, pensions and more.
At DiBella Law Offices, P.C., we represent people accused of committing crimes throughout not only the state of Massachusetts, but also southern New Hampshire. For nearly two decades, our defense attorneys have represented the constitutional rights of individuals in Burlington, Methuen, Boston, and any other city where our criminal defense legal services have been needed. We’ve achieved positive outcomes on behalf of our clients in a variety of case types, and are passionate about defending our clients in every way we can. If you stand accused or know someone who has been, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (978) 327-5140 for more information about your particular situation, the various laws at play given that situation, and the possible avenues our law firm can take in order to achieve as favorable an outcome as possible given the details of your case.
DUI/DWI
Unlike most criminal offenses, which require a specific intent to break the law, drunk driving charges can result from a single lapse in judgment. If you have been accused of drunk driving, known in Massachusetts as Operating Under the Influence (OUI), do not make the mistake of assuming you have to plead guilty. In some instances, there are actually valid defenses available that can defeat OUI charges.
Wrongful Death
Getting into an accident while riding a motorcycle can be catastrophic, largely because riders lack the protection provided by a car. A motorcycle accident can result in life-changing injuries for the motorcyclist, including head, neck, and back injuries, and even wrongful death.
Traffic Violations
Speeding: Speed limits provide a clear guideline of the safe speeds a vehicle can travel in specific zones, from fast-paced highways to slow, sharp turns. Breaking the speed limit – and even driving well below it – puts other vehicles at risk, particularly motorcyclists, who do not have the same safety features as other vehicles.
Misdemeanors
An OUI is considered a misdemeanor in Massachusetts unless it is your third or more such offense, or if it involves serious bodily injury or death. A felony conviction carries a penalty of more than two and a half years in jail and the mandatory submission of a DNA sample.
Drug Crimes
A Brookline, New Hampshire woman was charged with Knowingly being present where heroin was kept. The woman was the driver of a vehicle she did not own in which heroin was found in an ashtray compartment. The drugs were sent to the state lab and tested positive for heroin.
Assault
A Florida woman living in Swapscott, Massachusetts suffered a hit-and-accident caused by a vehicle driven by the ex-wife of the man the victim was with. The driver was charged with criminal assault and battery.
Juvenile Crimes
Restraining Order
A Lowell woman was charged with violation of a restraining order and scheduled for a clerk magistrates hearing in Lowell District Court. After a hearing in front of the magistrate we were able to show that the alleged behavior was not prohibited by the terms of the Restraining order.
Forgery
A Lowell man was charged with Larceny by False Pretense, Forgery of Check, Attempt to Commit a Crime, receiving stolen property and uttering a false check. He was alleged to have stolen jewelry, laptops, cell phones and power tools. Three of the five charges were dismissed outright and on the remaining two charges the defendant received a continuance without a finding.
Hit and Run
If you or someone you loved was injured in a hit and run collision, you should secure strong legal representation as soon as possible from DiBella Law Offices, P.C. Our Methuen hit and run accident attorney has nearly two decades of experience and has been ranked as a Top 10 Attorney in Massachusetts. He can provide thorough legal advice about how you can recover compensation after a hit and run and cover your medical expenses, as well as other costs. To learn how, contact our office at (781) 262-3338 to schedule a free initial consultation.
From offices in Burlington, Methuen, and Boston, DiBella Law Offices, P.C., represents borrowers, purchasers, sellers, investors, developers, lenders, landlords, tenants, and business users in a wide range of real estate matters. We have nearly two decades of experience in transactions involving residential and commercial properties, as well as residential, commercial and multiple-use developments, warehouses, and other real estate assets.
Premises Liability
Struck By/Against Object: These incidents include getting struck in the head by a falling object and being pinned against a fixed object. While this is common on construction sites, it can also occur at other unsafe properties. For example, if a homeowner left an unsecured potted plant on a balcony and it fell and hit a party guest, that guest should be able to pursue a premises liability claim.
Real Estate Transactions
Caveat emptor state for real estate transactions, which essentially means “buyer beware.” Because of this, buyers have to be ready to perform an immense amount of research in regards to purchasing property. If a new owner finds out after a purchase that the basement floods or that the roof leaks, he has no recourse against the seller and will be left with the cost of making those needed repairs.
Property Damage
DiBella Law Offices, P.C., understands that any accident is traumatic and can easily become overwhelming. What first appeared to be a minor or insignificant injury can have a life-altering impact on you, as well as your entire family. As the initial shock begins to subside, additional worries set in, such as mounting medical bills from Mass General, loss of income, property damage and expenses, as well as the cost of long-term care. Or even, in some cases, the senseless loss of a loved one.
Attorney DiBella has been named one of the Top Personal Injury Litigators in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and New Hampshire by several local and national legal associations.
Medical Malpractice
Personal injuries can also occur as a result of a workplace accident, a slip-and-fall, a violent crime, or medical malpractice. These incidents require more experience to litigate than a car accident, which is why it is important to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
Dog bites can leave their victims with lifelong physical and emotional scars, particularly on young children. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to know exactly what your legal rights and options are in Massachusetts. The legal team at DiBella Law Offices, P.C. has been successfully representing Bay State injury victims for nearly two decades and can answer any legal questions you may have. Call the DiBella Law Offices, P.C. today for a free consultation. We have offices in Burlington and Methuen.
An experienced Massachusetts estate planning attorney from DiBella Law Offices, P.C., can also help you distribute property from your estate to the charity of your choice, should you decide to do so.
Wills
Living wills. Unlike other wills that are created to help the courts and family members determine what to do with assets after a person passes away, living wills help the family make end-of-life decisions when the testator is still living, but in a condition that has left him or her unable to make healthcare decisions. For instance, a person who has been in a coma for an extended period of time may have a living will that dictates when to take him off life support. This can greatly reduce the burden placed on family members, as they will not have to make the heartbreaking decision.
Power of Attorney
Power of attorney. The power of attorney is a document authorizing one person to act on the testator’s behalf when he or she is unable to communicate. This differs from a living will because instead of a testator dictating the measures to be taken, he is giving the power to another person to make those decisions. Those decisions may not always be medical, sometimes involving when to sell a home or other assets.
Tina has worked for a handful of law firms before joining DiBella Law Offices, P.C., in October 2017. She has over 20 years of experience as a real estate paralegal; additionally, her specialties include conveyancing, real estate transactions, legal research and writing, litigation, short sales and foreclosures, first-time home buying, and more.