The start of the year brings significant developments in Massachusetts probate and family law—and we’re offering a full slate of timely webinars to help practitioners stay current, sharpen their skills, and gain practical insights from the bench and bar. From newly released child support guidelines to in-depth case law reviews and foundational divorce practice training, these programs are designed to support attorneys at every stage of practice.
Below is a snapshot of what’s coming up in January and February.
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January 14
The New Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines
Effective December 1, 2025, Massachusetts has released updated Child Support Guidelines that introduce new income thresholds, revised childcare and healthcare benchmarks, and important changes to how child support is calculated and modified.
This timely panel discussion brings together judges, practitioners, and financial experts to walk through what has changed—and what those changes mean in practice.
Highlights include:
- An overview of the most significant updates in the 2025 Guidelines
- How the revisions affect new and existing child support orders
- Judicial discretion and deviation: what remains flexible and what has shifted
- Practical implications for attorneys, paralegals, and self-represented parties
- Live Q&A with an experienced, multidisciplinary panel
Faculty:
- Hon. Michael Anderson
- Matthew Barach, Esq. (moderator)
- Denise Fitzgerald, Esq.
- Maureen McBrien, Esq.
- Lee Sanderson, CPA, ABV, CFF, CVA, MST
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January 20 & 21
Family Law Year in Review – A Two-Part Series
Each year, appellate decisions continue to refine and reshape Massachusetts family law—and 2025 was no exception. This two-part CLE examines the most impactful published and unpublished decisions from the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court over the past year.
Topics include developments in:
- Alimony and child support
- Custody and parenting disputes
- Income determination for support purposes
- Pensions and complex financial issues
Participants will leave with practical litigation tools and a deeper understanding of how recent case law affects day-to-day family law practice.
Faculty:
- Hon. Melanie Gargas
- Hon. Nan Sauer
- Lisa Cukier, Esq.
- Gabrielle Denby, Esq.
- David Lee, Esq.
- Lindsay Mason, Esq.
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January 26
Fiduciary Litigation Year in Review
The Fiduciary Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Probate & Family Court regularly addresses complex trust, estate, and family asset disputes. This annual review highlights notable FLS and appellate decisions from the past year, including cases of first impression and issues with broad implications for fiduciary litigators.
Case highlights include:
- Reilly, et al., v. Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP, et al. (Suffolk Superior Court)
- Arnold v. Arnold (Nantucket Superior Court)
- In the Matter of the Richard E. Howard Trust (Docket No. 23-P-889)
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. v. Kamio, et al. (Suffolk Superior Court, Docket No. 2284CV02298H)
- Carmela Curley v. Fabiana Ternullo (23-P-1393, January 17, 2025)
- Walton v. Walton (23-P-380, December 18, 2025)
- In re Frank Pedro (24-P-0324, May 1, 2025)
- TJR Services v. Hutchinson (SJC-13617, Dec. 26, 2024)
Through detailed case analysis, faculty will translate these decisions into practical guidance for litigating fiduciary disputes in Massachusetts and beyond.
Faculty:
- Hon. Lee Peterson
- Lisa Cukier, Esq.
- Jennifer Laucirica, Esq.
- Mary Schmidt, Esq.
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February 3 & February 10
Divorce Law 101
Designed for newer attorneys, practitioners expanding into family law, or those seeking a structured refresher, Divorce Law 101 provides a comprehensive, practice-oriented roadmap for handling a divorce case from start to finish.
This two-day seminar walks participants through the full life cycle of a divorce matter—from the first client meeting to post-judgment issues.
Day One covers:
- Client intake and case assessment
- Jurisdiction, venue, and early strategy
- Temporary relief, discovery, and financial statements
- Custody considerations
Day Two focuses on:
- Motion practice and settlement negotiations
- Trial preparation
- Modification and enforcement
Throughout the program, faculty share practical tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and real-world insights to help attendees manage divorce cases with confidence and competence.
Faculty:
- Rachel Deering, Esq.
- Anna Richardson, Esq.
- Crissa Morton, Esq.
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These programs offer valuable opportunities to learn directly from judges and experienced practitioners while earning CLE credit and staying ahead of critical legal developments. We hope you’ll join us for one—or all—of these upcoming webinars. Visit our calendar to see all upcoming webinars.