Family Law

• Divorce
  Divorce and other family law matters are often stressful, emotional and extremely difficult to navigate without the benefit of a knowledgeable, diligent, successful attorney. At Bonville & Howard, you will have such highly experienced attorneys and staff who truly care about your domestic situation and will work relentlessly to ensure that your interests and rights are protected from the onset of your case. The legal team at Bonville & Howard Law Firm is committed to attentive, responsive and compassionate legal representation for all your family law concerns. We are skilled at working through the emotions and hostility that may arise in domestic relation cases so as to reach a mutually satisfying end result and avoid potential future problems. If an amicable negotiation is not possible in your particular case, we are a formidable trial law firm which is prepared to battle for you in the courtroom.
• Child Support
  There are currently two forms of bankruptcy used for most individuals: Chapter 7 completely wipes out all dischargeable debts, while Chapter 13 is used to stretch out and reduce the repayment of debts. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is sometimes known as a “straight” bankruptcy. In most cases when we file a Chapter 7 all of the client’s property is classified as exempt, and kept by the debtor. All debts are completely discharged under Chapter 7 except certain taxes, student loans, alimony, child support and fines. While Chapter 7 is usually the best option for our clients there are circumstances when a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy makes more sense. We will complete a financial asset analysis to determine which option is best for you. We also explore non-bankruptcy ways to deal with debt.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Bonville & Howard Law Firm has practiced Massachusetts Family Law since 1947. We offer knowledgeable counsel and strong advocacy in your divorce, including contested and non-contested proceedings and with all post-divorce hearings and modifications. In addition to our strong divorce practice, we represent clients in child custody, child support, child visitation, alimony, modifications, contempt of court, restraining order, guardianship, and many other family law matters.
• Paternity
• Guardianship
  Sometimes proper estate plans involve transferring real estate while reserving life estates, gifting, Trusts, powers of attorney, various types of guardianship, and other devices.
• Spousal Support

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  If you have you been arrested, charged with a crime or indicted, or being investigated for a criminal matter, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your rights. Don’t gamble with your freedom and personal liberty. Contact us at Bonville & Howard for a free confidential consultation regarding your case. With decades of experience in representing individuals successfully in District Court, Superior Court, Federal Court and Appellate Court, you will have highly experienced attorneys on your side defending your rights and providing you peace of mind.
• DUI/DWI
  For a police officer to stop you, they need probable cause. While it’s possible for an officer to suspect you may be driving under the influence and subsequently stop you, many DUI arrests do not occur for that reason. For example, if the officer notices that one of your taillights is not working, they could stop you. This would be considered probable cause. Generally, there must be a legitimate reason for the stop.
• Wrongful Death
  Losing a loved is one of the most difficult situations we face in our lives. If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s fault, negligence or wrongdoing, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Most wrongful death claims are based on negligence. As such, it will be necessary to show that the wrongdoer failed to act in a responsible manner and that this caused the death of your loved one. There are an endless number of examples of wrongful death suits and often it can be very difficult and complicated to prove fault. Bonville & Howard has handled a number of wrongful death cases and if we believe someone is at fault our lawyers will do whatever is necessary to prove it.
• Sex Crimes
  We have a proven track record with successfully defending individuals charged with OUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex offenses, theft, larceny, assault and battery, homicide, gun offenses, breaking and entering, domestic assault, 209A and restraining order violations, armed robbery, rape, motor vehicle offenses, probation violation, arraignment, bail hearing, criminal appeal, revise and revoke, motion for new trial and many other felony and misdemeanor crimes.
• Robbery
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
• Drug Crimes
• Assault
• Probation Violation
• Homicide
• Restraining Order
  Edwin H. Howard, Sr. has been practicing law since 1978. He has handled all types of personal injury matters including wrongful death, automobile and motorcycle accidents, slip and fall, workmen’s compensation, product liability, medical and legal malpractice and social security disability (SSDI). In addition he has handled many Probate and Family Court matters including divorce, paternity, restraining orders, child support, custody, and estate matters. Attorney Howard is also highly experienced in Bankruptcy, business litigation, real estate, debt collections and other legal matters. Attorney Howard published Collection Law In Massachusetts (2001 Lorman Educational Services). As a result of his tenacious and aggressive litigation style he has been successful during the last 41 years in obtaining outstanding results for his many clients.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  If you feel you have a valid worker’s compensation claim and need assistance please contact a Massachusetts workers compensation attorney at Bonville and Howard here: Contact Email

Property Law

• Premises Liability
• Eminent Domain
  The real estate practice has substantial experience in all aspects of zoning and land use issues, eminent domain, condemnation and commercial leasing as well as a wealth of experience in real estate financial transactions, including commercial mortgages, other borrowing and lending transactions, workouts, loan modifications, refinancing and foreclosures.
• Land Use and Zoning

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Attorney Meehan has been practicing law since 1994. Prior to joining Bonville & Howard, Attorney Meehan acted as a Managing and Senior Attorney in law firms focusing on criminal, divorce and domestic relations, personal injury and civil litigation matters.
• Auto Accidents
• Social Security Disability
  Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) is funded through the payroll taxes that individuals pay during most of their working lives if they are employed by non-public employers. Public employees such as Federal, state, and municipal agencies fund their own separate disability and retirement programs.
• Medicaid Planning
  Sometimes a will is not the best way to go. Some clients need trusts either standing alone or in addition to a will. Trusts can be included in a will, or can be drafted for all sorts of specialized purposes, such as avoiding probate, privacy, eliminating will contests, tax planning, Medicaid planning, educational gifts, and for many other purposes. After we review your estate needs, we can advise you what sort of trust you need, or whether you should forego the separate trust.
• Slip and Fall Injury
  Slip and falls cause thousands of injuries in the United States each year. In New England, snow and ice add to the amount of slip and fall injuries, whether through employment or in public areas. In 2018, 791 work-related deaths were caused by slips or falls. Even more caused either injuries or disabilities. If you have been injured by a slip and fall accident, our attorneys can represent your claim in order to receive compensation.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  A will allows you to make decisions, rather than forcing state law or a judge to make the decisions for you after your death. You can direct certain items of value or accounts to go to designated persons, including your church or favorite mission society or charity. The government cannot do this without your specific instructions in a properly executed will. You can designate your executor rather than leaving that choice to your heirs and the surrogate court judge. You can minimize fees and taxes with proper estate planning. You can designate a guardian for your children who will raise them in accordance with your beliefs, rather than having the judge make the decision. And you can set up a trust and name your choice of a trustee in your will to distribute your money to your children over many years and under your choice of conditions, rather than giving your children all of their inheritance at age 18 absent a will.
• Wills
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  The answer is no. In bankruptcy law, there are a series of common exemptions that will keep one from losing all of their possessions. Some examples are as follows...
• Foreclosure
  Certain situations require immediate bankruptcy proceedings, such as when the client has had property or bank accounts seized, when a mortgage foreclosure is on the horizon, or when wages are being garnished.
• Tax Law
• Debt Collection
  Not every collection agency is the same. We have a combined debt volume that has enabled us to staff our office with the most aggressive and successful business collection specialists available anywhere. Our results are the true testimony of our commercial debt collection successes. We use the personnel resources, the latest technology and the proven effective methods to collect what you are owed. These are the keys to fast, effective collection of your accounts.