Your situation
What are you facing?
Thinking about divorce?
In Massachusetts a divorce can be agreed or contested. Either way, it settles property, debts, support, and parenting.
He explains the process and what to gather before you file.
Worried about custody or time with your children?
The court decides custody based on what is best for the children.
He helps you prepare a parenting plan and present your side clearly.
Need child support or alimony, or need an order changed?
Child support follows state guidelines. An order can be changed later if income or circumstances change, for example after a job loss.
He can review your numbers and tell you what to expect.
Do you feel unsafe at home?
If you are in danger right now, call 911.
You can ask the court for an abuse prevention order, often called a restraining order. He can explain how that process works.
None of these? Call and tell him what happened: (617) 265-1767
What happens next
What to do now for your family
If you are in danger, call 911
Safety first. A judge answers a request for an abuse prevention order the same day, and when the courts are closed, local police can help you request an emergency order. He can help you ask for one.
Gather the papers
Any court orders you already have, your marriage certificate, pay stubs, tax returns, and a list of what you own and owe.
Limit how the dispute affects the children
Courts notice how each parent handles this. Keep routines steady and keep the disagreements away from the kids.
Write things down
Dates, agreements made by text, money paid or received. A simple record helps in court.
Do not sign an agreement you do not understand
A separation or divorce agreement is hard to undo. Have him read it first.
How it usually goes
How a divorce usually goes
Filing
A joint petition when you both agree on everything, or a complaint when you do not.
Temporary orders
If needed, the court sets temporary rules for support, custody, and the home while the case goes on.
Working it out
Both sides exchange financial statements. Most cases reach an agreement, sometimes with a mediator or the court’s help.
Judgment
A judge approves the agreement, or decides after a trial. The divorce becomes final only after a waiting period set by law, and its length depends on the type of divorce (see the FAQ below).
Good to know
- Custody
- Legal custody is who makes the big decisions; physical custody is where the child lives. Both are decided on what is best for the child, and parents can agree on a plan.
- Child support
- Massachusetts uses a formula, the Child Support Guidelines, based mainly on both parents’ incomes and the parenting schedule.
- Restraining orders
- You can ask a court for an abuse prevention order any time the courthouse is open, and a judge answers the same day. When the courts are closed, local police can help you request an emergency order. If the judge grants an order without the other person present, the court schedules another hearing soon after and notifies them.Source: Mass.gov: steps to apply for a protection order in court · as of November 2026
General information about Massachusetts law, not legal advice for your case.
How fees work
- He explains how his fee works before he starts.
- We accept check, cash, Zelle or bank transfer, and installment plans. We do not accept credit cards.
- Consultations are by appointment only. A consultation fee applies, and it is credited toward your legal fees if you hire the firm.
Why choose him
Calm, private advice while your family is changing.
Divorce, custody, support
He handles family law matters in Probate and Family Court. He has worked in Massachusetts courts since 2002.
Agreement or court
He tries to settle things by agreement first, which is faster, cheaper, and easier on children. When that is not possible, he prepares your case for court.
In your language
Family matters are personal. You can talk them through in English or Vietnamese.
I cannot say enough about Attorney Vy Truong. He is a very professional, knowledgeable, kind and caring attorney who went above and beyond my expectations. Attorney Truong has helped me with quite a few legal issues since 2019, and recently finished helping me to settle my complicated and stressful divorce. He is friendly to work with and always delivered positive results. He was very timely and professional in all of his responses. With his ability to negotiate and communicate effectively with other parties involved in my cases, he was able to move the legal process forward and gain both the respect and cooperation of other parties involved, while continually helping me to understand the legal processes and do what was in my best interests. I always feel I was in such good hands during the entire processes. He has helped me in so many ways in the past 5 years and cannot thank him enough for all he has done. Attorney Truong is an extraordinary and excellent attorney who I would highly recommend to anyone (especially Vietnamese clients) who needs compassionate, supportive, and knowledgeable counsel.
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Want to talk it through?Call (617) 265-1767or send a message
Questions about family law
Family Law
Divorce or separation is not, by itself, a reason to lose your children. Massachusetts law treats both parents’ rights as equal, absent misconduct, and decides custody by the children’s happiness and welfare. When a divorce case starts, both parents usually share temporary legal custody (the big decisions), unless there is an emergency, abuse, or neglect. Where the children live day to day (physical custody) depends on the facts, with no automatic winner. Courts must weigh evidence of abuse toward a parent or child. If you were never married, the parent who gave birth has custody until a court orders otherwise. When you meet a lawyer, bring any court papers you have.
Sources: G.L. c. 208, § 31; G.L. c. 208, § 31A; G.L. c. 209C, § 10 · as of November 2026
Family Law
The law does not require one, and you can file on your own. A lawyer helps most when you disagree about children, money, or a house, or when you do not understand the papers. You can also meet with a lawyer once, just to learn what to expect. Vy Truong explains your options in Vietnamese or English before you decide.
Family Law
Often, yes, but the details matter. The court needs a way to notify your spouse, even overseas, and a connection to Massachusetts, such as where you live. The rules depend on where you and your spouse have lived, so talk with a lawyer before you file anything.
Family Law
It depends on the type of divorce. A joint (“1A”) divorce is not final until 120 days from the date of the judgment. A “1B” no-fault divorce or a fault divorce is not final until 90 days from the date of the hearing, if a judgment is entered. You cannot remarry until it is final. A contested divorce can take much longer.
Sources: G.L. c. 208, § 21 (judgment nisi); Mass.gov: finalizing a divorce · as of November 2026
Family Law
Usually at least once. In an agreed divorce there is often one short hearing to approve the agreement. Contested cases have more court dates.
Family Law
Yes. Once paternity is established, a parent can ask the court for child support, and for custody and parenting time, whether or not the parents were married.
Family Law
Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about the child: school, medical care, religion. Physical custody is where the child lives day to day. Parents can share both, or one parent can have one or both.
Family Law
By the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, a formula based mainly on both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and how much time the children spend with each parent. He can run the numbers with you.
General information, not legal advice for your case.
Prefer to listen? Watch Vy explain it: Family law Q&A
Not your situation? Related practice areas
Civil LitigationSued, or does someone owe you money?
Criminal DefenseArrested or charged with a crime?
Real EstateBuying or selling a home?
Not sure which one fits? Call (617) 265-1767
Your first step
Tell Vy what happened.
Call, in English or Tiếng Việt
(617) 265-1767Or write to him with the formOr write to him with the form- Book an appointment (no walk-ins)By appointment only
- You talk with Vy himselfYou talk with Vy himself
- What you tell him is confidentialWhat you tell him is confidential
Bring what you have. Letters, notices, court papers, a photo ID. If you are not sure something matters, bring it. Coming without papers is fine too.
Bring what you have.
Letters, notices, court papers, a photo ID. If you are not sure something matters, bring it. Coming without papers is fine too.
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Sending a message does not make you a client, and the reply is not legal advice.