Family Law

Divorce, custody, visitation, support issues and matters involving property division are often complex and emotionally devastating. More than one half of the cases handled by the lawyers at O’Connor and Ryan involve domestic relations issues.

O’Connor and Ryan represents clients in often-difficult proceedings before the Probate and Family Court with sensitivity and expertise. Mr. Ryan recognizes that negotiation and conflict avoidance are the touchstones of successfully concluding matters involving family disputes. He has worked for or been appointed by the court to resolve disputes involving issues of custody, visitation, support, and property distribution and is frequently appointed by the Probate and Family Court to investigate contested matters.

Mr. Ryan often relies upon his experience to negotiate fair and equitable settlement of issues. However, when appropriate and necessary, the firm will litigate contested matters in order to obtain an equitable result for the client.

In some cases, clients must petition the court to revise a divorce judgment. Careful and skilled modification of an existing divorce judgment can result in increased protection or benefits not provided for in the original divorce decree. Additionally, divorce judgments may need to be modified to eliminate provisions that have become outdated or inappropriate. In circumstances involving modification, it is important that the attorney has the experience and skill necessary to identify for the client what, if anything, should be changed and how the change can best be accomplished.

Mr. Ryan also represents clients in contempt actions where it has been alleged that an individual has failed to comply with an existing court order or judgment. In these cases, individuals are often forced to pursue a non-compliant party through the court. An individual who disobeys a court order or judgment faces the possibility of incarceration. In each instance, O'Connor and Ryan endeavors to obtain the best result for its clients.

In all family law cases, clients are billed on an hourly basis.


PRACTICE AREAS
	Family Law Divorce, custody, visitation, support issues and matters involving property division are often complex and emotionally devastating. More than one half of the cases handled by the lawyers at O’Connor and Ryan involve domestic relations issues. O’Connor and Ryan represents clients in often-difficult proceedings before the Probate and Family Court with sensitivity and expertise. Mr. Ryan recognizes that negotiation and conflict avoidance are the touchstones of successfully concluding matters involving family disputes. He has worked for or been appointed by the court to resolve disputes involving issues of custody, visitation, support, and property distribution and is frequently appointed by the Probate and Family Court to investigate contested matters. Mr. Ryan often relies upon his experience to negotiate fair and equitable settlement of issues. However, when appropriate and necessary, the firm will litigate contested matters in order to obtain an equitable result for the client. In some cases, clients must petition the court to revise a divorce judgment. Careful and skilled modification of an existing divorce judgment can result in increased protection or benefits not provided for in the original divorce decree. Additionally, divorce judgments may need to be modified to eliminate provisions that have become outdated or inappropriate. In circumstances involving modification, it is important that the attorney has the experience and skill necessary to identify for the client what, if anything, should be changed and how the change can best be accomplished. Mr. Ryan also represents clients in contempt actions where it has been alleged that an individual has failed to comply with an existing court order or judgment. In these cases, individuals are often forced to pursue a non-compliant party through the court. An individual who disobeys a court order or judgment faces the possibility of incarceration. In each instance, O'Connor and Ryan endeavors to obtain the best result for its clients. In all family law cases, clients are billed on an hourly basis.