Family Law Year in Review (Day 2)

Faculty

• Hon. Jessica Dubin, Probate & Family Court
• Hon. Nan Sauer, Probate & Family Court
• Lisa Cukier, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP
• Gabrielle Denby, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP
• David Lee, Esq., Lee & Rivers
• Lindsay Mason, Esq., Lee & Rivers

Published and unpublished decisions from the Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court change, refine and interpret the vast body of relevant statutory and case law in the family law arena every year. 2025 was no exception, with significant (and even ground-breaking) appellate decisions addressing issues including alimony and child support, custody, income for support purposes, pensions, among others. This CLE will review the most notable family law appellate decisions from the past year to give practitioners additional tools that they can use when litigating Massachusetts family law matters.

A number of significant cases will be discussed. Examples include:

• Ramanujam v. Kannan, 24P-658 (2005)
  Question of subject matter jurisdiction; Support obligation based upon percentage of future income from business ventures must be vacated as not specific of whether it is child support, alimony or other. 
• Kojuharova v. Stefanov, 24-P-509 (2005)
  Modification judgment remanded to recalculate support consistent with Cavanaugh. 
• Smith v. Smith, 105 Mass. App. Ct. 505 (2025)
  Cavanaugh analysis and tax analysis; Burden to provide tax analysis to court.
• Mackenzie v. Gauger, 105 Mass. App. Ct.1117 (2025)
  (Rule 23) Divorce matter- appeal over question of division of partially premarital assets- Pension.  This is an interesting case that hits a variety of considerations, including consideration of facts about relationship pre-marriage.
• Zhang v. Hoa, 105 Mass. App. Ct. 1120 (2025)
  (Rule 23) Alimony modification of obligation exceeding ARA presumptive limits.  
• A.D. v. K.S., 496 Mass. 727 (2025)
  Interesting reminder as to the permanence of the statute of repose and VAPs.
• Luck v. Luck, 105. Mass. App. Ct. 1128 (2024)
  (Rule 23) Appeal relative to annual adjustments (Young), and concepts pertaining to loans from family and student loans.  This is an interesting case- I have not at all, detailed the facts for. 
• McCarthy v. McCarthy, 105 Mass. App. Ct. 1128
  (Rule 23) Appeal of supplemental divorce judgment; Alimony award (amount and structure); Division of ESOP and SARS; Already on L& R List; 2005 Cavanaugh already on L&R list. 

And additional cases including:

• Kline v. Kline - alimony obligation beyond age of retirement and interpretation of prior agreement. 
• Adoption of Yves, 105 Mass App Court 1131 – Termination of parental rights and award of permanent custody to DCF
• Chernov v Jonenaite 105 Mass App Court 1131 – Whether appeal was timely and whether court abused its discretion in denial of motion for relief from judgment. 
• Adoption of Hilda 105 Mass App Court 1131 – Appeal of juvenile court decree temporarily suspending parenting rights. 
• Downey V Crane 55 Mass App Court 812 – clarification of prior judgment rather than substantive modification. 
• Musto v Musto 105 Mass App Court 1133 – A litigant cannot revive lost appellate rights by filing repetitive motions. 
• Adoption of Iza 105 Mass App Court 1135 - Appeal of juvenile court decree.  Best interest and preservation of stability even over potential loss to a parental bond. 
• Odnovorov v Odnovorov 105 Mass App Court 1136 - Equitable is not equal.  Short term marriage. 
• Adoption of Karlotta 105 Mass App Court 1137- Appeal of juvenile court decree.  Exclusion of witnesses and question of DCF’s obligation to reunify. 
• Cavanagh v Cavanagh, 105 Mass App Court 620 – Scope of remand; alimony; expenses; income; child support/parenting time; retroactive child support; tuition reimbursement; prejudgment interest; contempt; sanctions. 
• Hill v Del Plato 105 Mass App Court 1139 – Lack of material change in circumstances and child’s preference. 
• Fortes v Fortes 105 Mass App Court 1140 – division of assets and section 34 considerations.
• J.M. v. A.M
• Gilmore v Gilmore 106 Mass App Ct 1103 - question over whether there is a right to counsel in divorce and question of due process. 
• Barron v Barron 106 Mass Court 1104 - frivolous and vexatious litigation. 
• Suwwan De Felipe v Suwwan 106 Mass App Court 1158 – application of Baccanti. 
• Lord v Burger, 105 Mass App Ct 1115.
• McKenzie v Gauger 105 Mass App Court 1117
• Thomas v Cunningham, 105 Mass App Court 1118
• Danforth v Smith, 105 Mass App Ct 1119
• Rappaport v Rappaport 105 Mass App Court 1121
• Blake v Blake 105 Mass App Court 1121
• Zheng v Shen 105 Mass App Court 1121
• Salm v Fontenot 105 Mass App Court 1122
• Qirjazi v Qirjazi 105 Mass App Court 1123
• Joglekar v Kumari, 105 Mass App Court 1123
• Truong v Ho 105 Mass App Court 1124
• Philemond v Rejouis 105 Mass Court 1126
• Hernandez V Mogollon 105 Mass App Court 1127
• Care and protection of Francine 105 Mass App Court 1128
• Milka v Milka 105 Mass App Court 1129
• Crowley v Crowley 105 Mass App Court 1129
• Adoption of Geneva, 105 Mass App Court 1129
• Adoption of Denise 105 Mass App Court 1129
• Norris V Norris 105 Mass App Court 1130
• Ryan V Lovendale 105 Mass App Court 564
• Adoption of Cole 105 Mass Appeal Court 1136
• Adoption of Eric 105 Mass App Court 1136
• Pereira v Pereira 105 Mass App Court 1143
• Bernat v Hertnarski 105 Mass App Ct 1144
• LBR v BJR 105 Mass App Court 1145
• YA v KB 105 Mass App Court 1145
• Savoy v Savoy 106 Mass App Court 1102