Family Law

• Divorce
  Uncontested divorces have only minimal court involvement. Even if a divorce starts out being contested, however, the parties can settle their differences outside of court and save time, money, and stress. If possible, your divorce attorney will use mediation and direct negotiations with the other spouse’s lawyer to accomplish this. Mediation is an out-of-court process involving a neutral third party who helps the spouses resolve their differences and work out a separation agreement.
• Child Support
  The law requires every parent to support their child, and that’s no less true when the parents separate or divorce. Child support cases are often contentious because the parents don’t always agree on how much they both earn, how much the child needs, and therefore what the monthly support payment should be. You may be the parent who needs support or the one from whom it is being demanded. Either way, SederLaw is ready to serve you.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  No family law issues are quite as emotional as child custody and visitation. Whether you are going through a divorce or you and the other parent have decided to part ways, your rights as a parent could be at serious risk. But taking swift legal action can help ensure that your child’s best interests are protected. That’s where SederLaw’s Family Law & Probate practice comes in. We understand Massachusetts child custody and visitation laws and what it takes to build a successful case.
• Paternity
  Genetic testing is typically used to establish paternity and can be obtained for a relatively low cost. Other evidence establishing paternity may be presented in addition to the DNA test.
• Premarital Agreement
  Our attorneys have significant experience drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We provide clients with peace of mind, and protection of their interests in the event of divorce. We will help you proactively determine the division of assets between the parties before marriage to protect premarital or family assets. Each prenuptial and postnuptial agreement that we prepare is tailored to meet your needs as an individual, as a couple, and as a family. We are committed to helping you plan for your long-term financial stability.
• Guardianship
  A Guardianship is a legal proceeding that is used to protect children and adults who are unable to care for themselves. Although guardianships offer important protections for vulnerable loved ones, very technical court procedures must be strictly followed to make sure that they are created properly. SederLaw works with families every day to obtain guardianships so they can have peace of mind about their loved one’s well-being.
• Spousal Support
  When spouses end their marriage, they must decide how to address the issue of alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance. Alimony is intended to help divorced husbands and wives pay their monthly expenses, enjoy the standards of living they experienced during the marriage, and adjust to the financial realities of a single-income household. However, spouses are not automatically entitled to receive this support. There are set rules for determining the amount and duration of alimony, and some spouses cannot afford to make the payments demanded of them. Whether you are in need of spousal maintenance or you are being asked to pay for it, SederLaw can serve you.
• Legal Separation
  There is no such thing as “legal separation” in Massachusetts. In other words, a husband or wife does not need the permission of a court to live apart from his or her spouse.

Criminal Law

• Restraining Order
  Our attorneys advise clients who are involved on either side of a domestic violence issue. Clients who have been subjected to violence or threats of violence have the option to seek a restraining order to protect their safety and keep the threatening person away. If our clients have been falsely accused of domestic violence and a partner is seeking a restraining order, we will act immediately to protect your rights. We can also assist with amending restraining orders to reflect changed circumstances or allow visitation with children.
• Forgery

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Our Business & Corporate Law attorneys advise individuals, small and family businesses, public and private companies, startups, government & quasi-government entities, financial institutions, corporate boards and committees, directors and officers, investors, private equity and other funds, nonprofits, and trade associations in a wide range of industries. Our business and corporate lawyers provide general business legal advice, assist in structuring and implementing major transactions, financings, and investments, prepare agreements to address unique business arrangements, and consult with clients to resolve major business organizational and ownership issues and disputes.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  Mergers and acquisitions are relatively complicated matters that require input from different practice areas. SederLaw has experience in tax, banking, employment, intellectual property, and related disciplines. We understand the unique issues that face our clients and are prepared to come up with the solutions they need.
• Business Formation
  Starting a business opens the door to new opportunities, but also comes with its share of obstacles. Choosing the right legal entity, structure, and organization is essential to setting your business on the path toward success. The first step is retaining knowledgeable legal counsel to advise you. Whether you’re an entrepreneur preparing to found your dream company or an established multinational corporation looking to set up a subsidiary, you have a trusted business formation ally in SederLaw.
• Business Disputes
  Our representation covers both transactional matters, such as negotiating a contract, along with litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). By having lawyers across multiple practice groups, SederLaw has the tools necessary to identify and resolve all manner of issues concerning international business law.
• Business Transactions
  Business transactions cover a wide range of agreements and deals that companies make to carry out their work, branch into new industries and geographic areas, and build upon their business relationships. From entrepreneurs and new companies to established family businesses and multinational corporations, your organization can benefit from sound legal counseling. It starts with retaining a law firm with a proven track record of helping Massachusetts businesses implement their transactions with confidence. That firm is SederLaw.
• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property
  Intellectual property. Your company will likely use and create intellectual property in the form of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The right law firm will be able to handle all aspects of intellectual property law, from licensing and registration to maintenance and enforcement.
• Unfair Competition
  Finally, employers prefer these agreements to protect proprietary information from reaching the public. For example, in training an employee, a company may utilize certain methods that are not readily available to competitors. If there is no restriction on how this information is used, a former employee could reveal it to a new employer. This would put the prior employer at an economic disadvantage by exposing it to unfair competition.

Employment Law

• Employment Discrimination
  Employers who have been accused of workplace discrimination need quick action and a robust legal defense to protect their rights, interests, and reputations. Although plaintiffs and their lawyers will try to cast your company in the worst possible light, there are two sides to every employment discrimination case. You deserve a skillful, customized legal strategy from a law firm that has successfully represented clients in these types of lawsuits. SederLaw is that firm.
• Employment Contract
  Well-drafted, comprehensive contracts are essential to good business practices. This is no less true in the context of the employer-employee relationship. Strong, enforceable employment agreements can minimize the risk of liability and maximize employee productivity and morale. To ensure that your company’s best interests are being protected, it’s important that you hire dedicated legal counsel to handle all aspects of negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and executing your contracts. This is where SederLaw’s employment law practice team is ready to serve you.
• Employment Litigation
  Employment litigation is at best a distraction and at worst a potential liability for your company. In addition to the potential payment of significant damages, the reputational loss to your organization could be substantial. When an employee or former employee believes he or she has been wronged, there are attorneys lined up and ready to take that individual’s case. The employer, therefore, needs a robust legal defense, which is where SederLaw comes in. We defend the rights of employers when they are accused of violating their employees’ rights. Our firm also helps employers reduce the risk of litigation by working with them to adopt preventive strategies.
• Non-compete Agreement
  A non-compete agreement restricts employees from competing with their employers after their time of employment ends. These agreements are beneficial to employers, who have often invested significantly in developing the skills of their employees. But employer concerns must be balanced with those of employees, who need to be able to work after they leave an employer.
• Severance Agreement
  Remedies upon termination, including required arbitration or mediation of disputes, recoverable damages, governing law, and designated jurisdiction(s);
• Sexual Harassment
  With one of the most experienced labor and employment practices in the region, our attorneys have extensive knowledge in all areas of labor law and employer/employee relations. Clients range from large corporations and universities to small retailers and service firms—public, private, union and non-union employers. We frequently advise clients, both business and individuals, regarding all aspects of the employer/employee relationship including job posting, interviewing, training, job performance reviews, promotion, termination, and post-termination dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration. Our attorneys are also equipped to handle matters relating to sexual harassment and employment discrimination, including advising clients on preventive practices.

Property Law

• Real Estate Transactions
  Specific performance. A party may demand that the breaching party comply with the terms of the contract. That means asking the court to order the breaching party to do what it agreed to do. Specific performance is often a remedy for breaches of real estate purchase contracts since the property is unique and financial compensation may not suffice to protect the rights and interests of the non-breaching party.
• Land Use and Zoning
  Attorneys from other practices within the firm are consulted, when necessary, regarding specific issues with which they have experience, such as tax and securities matters or environmental and land use issues. Over the years, our litigation attorneys have developed relationships with outside experts in positions to add depth and perspective to our legal services. Contact our office today.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Estate planning is a broad practice area that helps individuals prepare a legacy for their loved ones after they pass away. It’s also an effective tool for anticipating major life changes before they occur. SederLaw’s estate planning attorneys create customized plans for clients, their families, and their businesses while helping them minimize taxes, preserve assets, and avoid probate. We’re ready to discuss your objectives and get started on a plan to implement them today.
• Wills
  Most estate plans begin with the last will and testament, customarily referred to as the will. The will is a legal instrument that dictates who will inherit your property and other assets (collectively known as your estate) after you die. A will also identify who will manage your estate and distribute its assets according to your wishes. This individual, known as the executor, also ensures that creditors are paid from your estate for valid final expenses you owe upon your death.
• Trusts
  These and other duties are essential aspects of the trust administration process. Additional obligations may be imposed upon the trustee according to the terms of the trust.
• Power of Attorney
  Power of Attorney. This document enables an individual, known as the attorney-in-fact or agent, to make financial and other personal decisions on behalf of another person (the principal).
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  Knowledge of bankruptcy law is only one of many reasons that we’ve earned a reputation of exceptional client service. Our attorneys also have expertise in multiple other areas of law, which enables us to provide unparalleled legal representation. Additionally, SederLaw serves clients across a wide range of different industries. Your organization deserves a law firm that appreciates the challenges unique to your business, and we are ready to handle your matter from the start.
• Foreclosure
  We advocate for creditors in bankruptcy cases and insolvency proceedings, litigation, workouts, restructuring, and enforcement. That representation includes asserting and defending secured and unsecured claims; protecting our clients’ rights under executory contracts and unexpired leases; and defending against preference, fraudulent conveyance, receivership, and foreclosure proceedings and other avoidance actions.
• Tax Law
  This area is closely related to estate tax planning but is more broadly concerned with developing strategies for protecting wealth from taxes, government seizure, and creditors, both before and after death. Although asset protection is often thought to be the exclusive domain of the wealthy, anyone who owns stocks, real estate, or other tangible property should consider it.