Divorce Lawyer in Quincy

Practical Divorce Guidance Backed by More than 50 Years of Combined Experience

If you’re facing the end of a marriage, you may be worried about your children, your finances, and what your life will look like a year from now. You don’t have to sort through all of this alone. At Kellem Mahoney Family Law & Mediation Group, P.C., we focus on Massachusetts divorce and family law.

We help people in Quincy and nearby communities understand their options, make informed decisions, and move through the legal process with a clear plan. Your case isn’t just paperwork to us. It’s your home, your parenting time, and your future stability, and we treat it that way from the first conversation.

To discuss your Quincy divorce case confidentially, contact our office or call (781) 304-4001.

Divorce Mediation & Litigation for Quincy Residents

David Kellem and Renee Mahoney have more than 50 years of combined experience handling family law matters. Both attorneys have personally experienced divorce and use that perspective when helping clients evaluate practical decisions about children, property, support, and life after marriage.

Norfolk Probate and Family Court, located in Canton, serves Quincy and handles divorce and related family matters for the jurisdiction. We help clients prepare the pleadings, financial statements, parenting proposals, and other information their cases require. We also explain what to expect from negotiations, hearings, and court filings.

Some clients hope to resolve their case through agreement, while others already expect significant conflict. We handle negotiated settlements, mediation-oriented matters, and contested hearings when needed. Our goal is to protect your interests and your children’s stability while avoiding unnecessary escalation that can increase stress and cost.

Communication is central to how we work. We explain each step in plain language and keep you updated on what’s happening with your case, so you aren’t left wondering what comes next. When decisions arise, our attorneys take the time to walk through your options and the potential impact on your children, property, and long-term plans. Our approach is personalized, practical, and cost-conscious.

The Massachusetts Divorce Process

The process often begins with an initial consultation, during which you talk with one of our attorneys about your goals, your concerns, and basic background information. We then assess whether we can assist as your attorney or mediator. If you decide to retain us for legal representation, we move forward with an engagement letter and retainer.

Starting a Divorce Case

Massachusetts provides different divorce forms depending on how a case begins. A Section 1A joint petition is filed when spouses jointly ask the court to approve their divorce agreement. A Section 1B complaint for divorce begins a contested case, although the spouses may still reach an agreement before trial. The next steps can include filing the appropriate pleadings, serving the other spouse when required, and exchanging financial information through mandatory financial disclosure.

Temporary Arrangements & Resolution

Temporary issues often need attention early. These can include where each spouse will live, who will pay which bills, and how parenting time will work while the case is pending. Courts in Massachusetts can enter temporary orders to address these questions, and our attorneys can help you prepare for hearings or negotiate short-term arrangements.

Many cases move into a period of negotiation or mediation, where spouses and their lawyers work to resolve property division, support, and parenting plans. If you and your spouse reach agreement on all issues, you may be able to present an uncontested divorce agreement to the court. If disputes remain, the court may schedule additional hearings or a trial so a judge can make decisions after hearing evidence. The appropriate path depends on the issues involved, the information available, any safety concerns, and whether both spouses can negotiate productively.

Preparing for Your Initial Consultation

To feel more prepared, you can start with a few simple steps:

• Make a list of your main concerns, such as your children’s schedule, your home, or specific debts.
• Gather recent financial documents, including pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and mortgage information if available.
• Think about your goals for parenting time, holidays, and decision-making for your children.
• Write down any questions you have about the process, cost, or possible outcomes, so they are easy to raise during a meeting.

This page provides general information about Massachusetts divorce law and procedure, not advice about the filings or strategy appropriate for a particular case.

Children, Support & Property in a Quincy Divorce

For many parents, the first question isn’t about legal forms; it’s about their children. Massachusetts courts decide custody and parenting time based on what they determine to be the best interests of the child. Judges typically look at factors such as each parent’s involvement, the child’s school and community ties, and whether each home can provide a safe and stable environment.

Parenting Plans & Custody

We work with you to think through a parenting plan that addresses your children’s needs and the practical realities of school schedules and commute times. A detailed plan may cover regular parenting time, holidays, transportation, parent-child communication, and responsibility for major decisions. When safety or other serious concerns exist, our attorneys can help you present those concerns clearly to the court.

Child Support & Alimony

Financial questions are equally important. Massachusetts courts use the 2025 Child Support Guidelines, effective December 1, 2025, for child-support orders and judgments. The calculation can involve both parents’ incomes, parenting time, health-care expenses, childcare costs, and other guideline factors.

Spousal support, also called alimony, may depend on the length of the marriage, each spouse’s age and health, income, employability, contributions to the marriage, marital lifestyle, lost economic opportunities, and other relevant circumstances. We help clients examine how proposed support terms may affect post-divorce budgeting.

Property Division

Property division follows principles of equitable distribution. This means the court works toward a division of assets and debts that is fair under the circumstances, not necessarily an exact fifty-fifty split. The analysis may involve the marital home, retirement accounts, bank or investment accounts, vehicles, business interests, loans, and potential tax consequences.

A careful financial review should identify assets and debts, examine when and how property was acquired, and distinguish between marital and separate property where relevant. Retirement accounts and other assets held in one spouse’s name may still require analysis as part of the overall division.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does a Divorce Usually Take in Quincy?

There’s no single timeline, but many Massachusetts divorces take several months or longer. The length depends on whether the case is contested, how quickly information is exchanged, filing requirements, and court scheduling at Norfolk Probate and Family Court.

Will I Have to Go to Court for My Divorce?

Many people appear in court at least once, often for a hearing to approve an agreement or address temporary orders. Contested cases may involve additional dates. Some steps can be handled through filings, negotiation, or mediation, but the required appearances depend on the case and the court’s scheduling decisions.

Discuss Your Next Step with a Quincy Divorce Lawyer

At Kellem Mahoney Family Law & Mediation Group, P.C., we combine careful legal analysis with practical guidance about your children, your home, and your long-term financial picture. During a free half-hour initial consultation, you can discuss your immediate concerns and whether negotiation, mediation, or litigation may fit your circumstances.

To schedule a consultation with our divorce attorneys serving Quincy, call (781) 304-4001.