ABOUT OUR FIRM

At The Massachusetts Family Law Group, Attorney Irwin M. Pollack and the child custody lawyers know that families matter. Whether you retain us to zealously advocate on your behalf on a divorce, paternity, parenting plan, child support or other related matters such as alimony, parental alienation, father's rights, same-sex custody, modification or contempt matters, our law firm provides you with the care and competence you deserve.

In an effort to de-escalate the importance parents place on the terms "custody" and "visitation," Attorney Pollack and the team prefer referencing the term "parenting time" as they focus on decision-making responsibility and focusing on the best interest of the minor children.

PARENTING PLANS

Once you've decided that staying together for the sake of the children isn't a viable option, we offer you and your children tailored court agreements that take into account the complete needs of your entire family - yours and your children. For example, in drafting your court-mandated parenting plan, we will meet with you to discover the full needs of each family member, and fight for your rights. The typical parenting plan is four or five pages. Because of all the issues that we review and typically address, we have drafted agreements exceeding 25 pages that address all the financial, custody, visitation and special needs accommodation concerns of each family member.

CHILD SUPPORT

Starting in 2009, child support in Massachusetts is calculated according to the new Child Support Guidelines based on the incomes of both parents, the number of minor children, and - in many cases - the amount of time each parent spends with the children. Health insurance, daycare costs, overtime or secondary jobs, extraordinary costs relating to children, and several other factors may justify a deviation from the Guidelines. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

PATERNITY

Unmarried parents in Massachusetts face a different situation. If you have a child and have never been married to the other parent, you can still file an action with the court to determine issues of custody and visitation. Issues pertaining to children of unmarried parents are treated exactly as they would if the parents had been married in a traditional fashion.

MODIFICATION TO CUSTODY AGREEMENTS

Change is a part of life and modifications to your Massachusetts Child Custody and parenting plan may be necessary from time to time. For example, if you relocate to a new residence that will necessitate changing your parenting plan, the agreement will need to be modified. While you and the other parent may agree to the change, it is always wise to obtain a written agreement and file it with the court. This way, you can avoid a dispute by having the paperwork already in place.

If the other parent doesn't agree to your requested modification, you can file a motion with the court requesting that the original agreement be changed because of your new situation. Your likelihood of success will be dependent on your specific situation, but having a family law firm that focuses on domestic relations law will help your situation.

GRANDPARENTS AND STEPPARENTS

In certain situations, grandparents and stepparents need advice and representation about their ability to protect their rights to a grandchild or stepchild or even to obtain guardianship or other temporary orders relating to a child whose primary parent is unable to provide a safe and stable upbringing. If you need advice about your visitation or custodial rights with respect to a grandchild or stepchild, contact us.

OUR FIRM ADVOCATES IN THE CHILDREN'S BEST INTEREST!

Whenever possible, courts in Massachusetts favor joint custodial solutions that grant both parents a say in how a child is raised. In this type of arrangement, the parents share decisions regarding the big "life" decisions - health, education, religion, etc. The child may live primarily with one parent, while the other is granted frequent parenting time. In other situations, the child may share the week with both parents. Other solutions are possible however, including sole legal and physical custody.

The divorce lawyers and family law attorneys at The Massachusetts Family Law Group will advise you of your legal options and the likely outcomes of those options.

In Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk Counties, we serve clients in Lexington, Cambridge, Salem, Andover, Dedham, Wellesley, Newton, Acton and Framingham.

In Central and Western Massachusetts, we have clients in cities such as Worcester, Springfield, Fitchburg, Milford, Chicopee, Greenfield and Northampton.

In fact, on the South Shore and the Cape, we also have clients in Brockton, Fall River, Plymouth, New Bedford, Barnstable, Falmouth and Hyannis. Contact Us

Attorney Pollack is a single parent, and understands that legal fees are an important concern during a divorce or family law matter. The firm tries to limit costs by cooperating with opposing counsel whenever possible, but we will not hesitate to fight aggressively for your rights in negotiations and court hearings whenever necessary.

Custody and parenting matters are typically the most contentious issues in family law. Everyone wants what is best for children, but people may have drastically different ideas of what is "best. " Before you litigate your dispute and end-up with a court-ordered structure that nobody's happy with, contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Until then, do your absolute best at parenting during divorce by doing more of what helps (attentive listening, extra nurturing, similar standards between both homes, tension-free contact between your child and both parents) and less of what hurts (making disparaging comments about your child's other parent in their presence, arguing in front of the child, putting your child in the middle, or other behaviors which may be deemed contrary to your child's best interests).

To schedule a no-obligation consultation, contact us. Our offices are in Norwood, Andover, Worcester, Springfield, Plymouth and on Cape Cod. We meet clients at 5AM in the morning - and even on the weekends! Appointment Calendar

Meet the Team

• Irwin M. Pollack, Founder & Lead Attorney
• Maria Rivera-Ortiz, Senior Attorney
• Sarah De Oliveira, Associate
• Joseph E. Mullin, Associate
• Rita DeMilia, Director of Operations
• Lorraine Luongo, Office Manager & Paralegal
• Renee Mahoney, Senior Paralegal
• Cara Sotirkys, Paralegal
• Margie Tromp-Milas, Paralegal

IRWIN M. POLLACK,
Founder & Lead Attorney

Irwin M. Pollack, the founding partner of The Massachusetts Family Law Group, is a focused and goal-oriented strategic thinker who works on cases of contested divorce, business matters involving asset values of $1,000,000 or more, child custody cases (helping clients with both custody risk factors and evaluations), modifications, and issues relating to reducing alimony and imputing income to voluntarily underemployed spouses.

Ask him and he’ll tell you that one of the most appealing aspects of family law is the variety it offers. “Every case is different,” Attorney Pollack says. “On any given day I could be dealing with fathers’ rights in Boston, custody and parenting plans in Worcester or child support on the Cape or in any of our six offices across Massachusetts. ”

An unwavering advocate for his clients, Attorney Pollack would rather divide assets than assign blame for a failed marriage. Many millionaire divorces end-up in his hands.   Some say that Pollack’s commitment to fathers’ rights is unmatched; he’s the first person anyone with divorce, support or custody issues should seek out.

Attorney Pollack exhibits straight-forwardness and integrity in a field often ridiculed as being populated with vultures preying on the weak. One client said, “Irwin is extremely kind, competent, and caring.   He actually bills honest hours, does not run up the bill, and finds the right strategy for the problem. ”

Attorney Pollack has two qualities that clients like – he’s relatively inexpensive in comparison to most, and he doesn’t waste time. His philosophy is to resolve cases in the most cost-efficient manner and still achieve a reasonable objective. Pollack regularly rejects cases he considers outlandish, such as that of the father who traveled 200 days a year and wanted to file for sole custody.

His billing rate – $325 an hour – is considerably less than you might pay for legal fees at a large Boston law firm. His past clients rave about how this adjunct faculty member from The Massachusetts School of Law at Andover shares divorce secrets with clients, offers invaluable advice such as the importance of and is quick to sum up a case and, unlike many of his better-known peers, settles cases with ease.

A guy with street smarts who went through a messy divorce himself, Pollack, 47, knows the game. Nine times out of ten, he tries to reduce the animosity between the parties and settle the case amicably, for the long-term benefit of his client. But if the other party is unreasonable or unrealistic about their expectations, he is just as able to take them to court where he’ll act as a strong, faithful advocate for his client. He is able to change gears between personal compassion and toughness whenever necessary.

If your spouse walks into a deposition with Attorney Pollack, you know you’re in trouble. Thorough and brutal when he needs to be, Pollack can be one of the most feared divorce lawyers across Massachusetts.   He has an impressive business background and spots hidden assets and family-owned business problems in divorce in record time.  

The verdict on him is split among fellow attorneys – those who work cooperatively claim how he’s reasonable, while those who are contentious by nature dread having to deal with him or the most common motions he files in court.  

Clients worship him. In nasty divorces where parties want blood, most of his clients come away satisfied especially as it relates to how divorce effects children, cases where one parent wants to move away, allegations of abuse or drug use or those associated with bad mouthing, bashing and brainwashing from a former spouse.

Working hand-in-hand with each of the firm’s attorneys, Attorney Pollack begins client conferences as early as 5 o’clock each morning and has been known to meet clients over the weekend when necessary. He represents clients in each of the 351 towns and cities in Massachusetts.

During the past year, Attorney Pollack logged more than 30,000 miles on Massachusetts highways traveling to and from offices in Norwood, Andover, Worcester, Springfield, Plymouth and on Cape Cod. He appeared before 31 Probate and Family Court judges and seven First Justices. He has appeared in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and Boston Magazine. He’s been heard on radio stations across the Commonwealth and produced two different CD programs relating to divorce and child custody-related matters.  

As a young boy growing up in Los Angeles, Irwin spent his summer vacations taking public transportation to courtrooms to watch trials. It was a form of entertainment at the time, but it sowed the seeds of interest in a man who has become fast on his feet, a quick study of small business and entrepreneurship, and fiercely determined.

Attorney Pollack is member in good standing of both the Massachusetts and Connecticut Bars.

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Maria M. Rivera-Ortiz

SENIOR ATTORNEY

Maria M. Rivera-Ortiz is a Senior Attorney with The Massachusetts Family Law Group. In her distinguished role, Attorney Rivera-Ortiz not only manages all of the firm's efforts in Worcester and Western Massachusetts, but she also serves as coach and mentor to each of the Associates in the firm. Prior to joining MFLG, Attorney Rivera-Ortiz was an attorney in the Family Law Unit by the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts and also an Assistant District Attorney for Worcester County prosecuting domestic violence cases.

Quite often, prospective clients come to Maria when questions arise about alimony and spousal support. Attorney Rivera-Ortiz gives prospective clients the bottom line: "Alimony gets treated differently from child support on your tax return. Alimony is tax deductible to the person who pays it, and included in the taxable income of the person who receives it. Child support, by contrast, is not taxable to the person who receives it and not tax deductible to the person who pays it. That means that when you and your spouse have dramatically different incomes, there may be some tax advantages to using alimony, even if a judge in Worcester, Springfield or Northampton wouldn't ordinarily award it. "

A good portion of Maria's clients find her as they contemplate a change in attorneys. She makes her position clear: "If your divorce is not progressing the way you had hoped, or you're frustrated with the lack of communication between you and your lawyer, you do have a right to make a change. You do not want to choose your lawyer lightly, but you are not obligated to stay where your needs are not being met. " As the word spreads about Maria's stellar client service, she beams like a Christmas tree saying, "Getting my clients to the next stage of their life is Priority Number One to me!"

As a graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University Law School, Attorney Rivera-Ortiz is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. She is an active member of the Worcester Bar Association.

Attorney Rivera-Ortiz offers an important advantage to her Spanish-speaking clients. When you come to Maria's office, you can speak directly with your lawyer in your native language, rather than through a translator.

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Sarah De Oliveira

ASSOCIATE

An upbeat attitude, a watchdog for the child's best interest and a keen eye in applying the Child Support Guidelines are the hallmarks of Attorney Sarah De Oliveira's representation.

Representing the Massachusetts Family Law Group in Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk Counties, Attorney De Oliveira not only addresses the current needs of a child, but she looks ahead to see what implications a ruling made today might have in the child's life years from now.

Beyond those issues relating to children and support, Attorney De Oliveira has become well-known as an advocate when it comes to both pursuing and defending restraining orders and other domestic violence matters. Clearly, her experience with the District Attorney's Office gave her that edge and if you were to ask a handful of divorce lawyers from Middlesex or Suffolk County about the next generation of top domestic relations attorneys, the name Sarah De Oliveira quickly surfaces.

Those who know her best claim she brings brainpower as well as firepower to each of her cases. Yet she is accessible, engaged, and interested in every case. A tough-minded graduate of Suffolk University Law School, Sarah has emerged as one of the aces of the Massachusetts bar.

Attorney De Oliveira speaks Portuguese and will gladly talk to her Brazilian, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean clients in their native language. She is an active member of the Women's Bar Foundation and the Boston Bar Association.

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Joseph E. Mullin

ASSOCIATE

Attorney Mullin attended Providence College (B.A. , cum laude, 1996) and Suffolk University Law School (J.D. 2001) and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2002. He was admitted to the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts in 2008.

Before joining MFLG, Joe established himself as a zealous advocate in both Plymouth County and Barnstable County relating to contested divorce matters, custody and parenting plans, abuse prevention orders and support collection (especially in those cases where the Department of Revenue is involved).

Providing his clients with value-added services, Attorney Mullin also represents clients in ancillary matters that they may encounter during the divorce process such as estate planning and drafting QDRO's (qualified domestic relations orders) in order to transfer pension or retirement assets pursuant to a divorce judgment.

From 2002 - 2006, Joe worked as an attorney for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement Unit, where he assisted custodial parents in the establishment of paternity and support orders, and modification and enforcement of those orders. Prior to that, Joe prosecuted cases for both the Barnstable and Plymouth District Attorney offices.

Attorney Mullin is a member of the Barnstable County, Massachusetts, American and Quincy Bar Associations, and is an elected member of the Town of Mashpee Planning Board.

One of the strongest advantages Joe - or any of the family law attorneys from MFLG - offers is the typical hour-long consultation and analysis that starts with our asking, "Why are you here, and what can we do for you?" That's when the divorce lawyers and family law team gets to work. They not only hold their clients' hands through the process, they call clients on their birthdays, know their hobbies, and even like to suggest books to read.

MFLG's team of attorneys and paralegals in Southern Massachusetts insist that their clients develop a divorce plan or strategy, and "take charge" of their case. The first homework assignment is simple: "Copy documents. Go through the household papers and make copies of everything you can find…tax returns, bank statements, check registers, investment and retirement account statements, employee benefit handbooks and more. "

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Rita DeMilia

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

In developing The Massachusetts Family Law Group, Attorney Irwin M. Pollack knew the firm needed a leader on the inside who would be considered the rock star of the firm, complete with adoring employees, treasured clients and, in some cases, the ability to stand up to him and convince him that he should handle the law and clients on the outside while somebody should navigate the business on the inside.

When Rita DeMilia joined the firm, Attorney Pollack announced her arrival by saying, "Throughout history, certain people have plied their knowledge of business to help others learn the ins and outs ofsuccess. They've stepped inside companies to offer wisdom about time management, human relations, slashing costs, or motivating the troops. While law firms have yet to be run as businesses first, MFLG must be a leader in this arena, and when it comes to Rita DeMilia's track record, she's going to help our lawyers, clients and business model make it to the top. "

Rita has an impressive 20 year background in business management. And while her background is in the manufacturing and distribution industries, Attorney Pollack was impressed with her desire, and ability, to work under enormous pressure to produce results. On her first interview, Pollack remembers how Rita said, "Anything - an idea, a tool, a word - that can keep us ahead of the pack is fair game. "

On a daily basis, Rita admits that she gets paid to analyze complex situations and recommend a course of action. On top of that, Attorney Pollack wants answers, not a long story. He and the firm focus on courses of action and solutions they can implement tomorrow, not a 300 page book. That's why Rita DeMilia was put at the top of the pack.

Having been through the divorce process herself, and being a single mother of two young children, Rita was both intrigued and touched by the fact that Attorney Pollack puts the best interest of the children first. Somewhere throughout every day, you will hear her say, "Don't forget, it's all about the children!"

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Lorraine Luongo

OFFICE MANAGER & PARALEGAL

With over 15 years of service to the legal community, Lorraine Luongo serves as both Office Manager and Paralegal at The Massachusetts Family Law Group.

Prior to joining the firm, Lorraine spent over six years at Andrew P. Palmer and Associates in Norwell working in the Domestic Relations, Estate Planning and Real Estate divisions.

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Renee Mahoney

SENIOR PARALEGAL

Renee Mahoney joined The Massachusetts Family Law Group in 2007, bringing with her the reputation as one of the brightest minds in the legal community. Undoubtedly, her hard work, commitment, and endless series of victories paid off when Attorney Pollack named her Senior Paralegal and asked her to lead the paralegal team as MFLG continues to expand.

Her area of practice is domestic relations where emotions run high and clients are living through the worst time of their lives, and Renee insists she finds the practice very satisfying.

Renee is an essential part of the firm helping clients get through the Pre-Filing stage, money matters and sensitive issues relating to children and divorce.

Starting her day at 6am, Renee is the often the first voice to greet clients. One thing is for certain - she's the only one who volunteers to help Attorney Pollack each morning with his routine of tracking where all the attorneys are, reminding him of where he has to go himself and reassuring him that "everything will be just fine!"

Her favorite part of the job is helping clients and sharing Attorney Pollack's divorce secrets for women.

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Cara Sotirkys

PARALEGAL

It should be no surprise that Cara Sotirkys was chosen to assist the paralegals, orchestrate the satellite offices and help build the Domestic Relations Procedure division for The Massachusetts Family Law Group. Once the lawyers and paralegals heard about Cara's desire to work in a fast-paced environment and help people, she quickly became the candidate the hiring committee put at the top of the list.

Cara is no stranger to divorce, family law, or any aspect of domestic relations. She spent four years at another firm before becoming a Case Specialist for the Plymouth Probate & Family Court.

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Margie Tromp-Milas

PARALEGAL

Bringing over 23 years of paralegal skills to the Massachusetts Family Law Group, Margie Tromp Milas orchestrates the Western Massachusetts region on behalf of Senior Attorney Maria Rivera-Ortiz. Beyond her depth in family law, Margie brings a long resume and track record in matters relating to Corporate Law, Estate and Tax Planning, and Estate, Guardianship and Conservatorship Administration. Margie received her Associate of Science degree and Paralegal Certificate from Bentley College in Waltham. Prior to MFLG, Margie worked at Broude & Hochberg, LLP in Boston and Bowditch & Dewey in Worcester.

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Contact us about your legal matter today!