Business Details
Your Trusted Massachusetts Family Law & Estate Planning Firm
Next Phase Legal is a Massachusetts-based law firm specializing in family law and estate planning. Our approach prioritizes collaborative, less adversarial solutions like mediation to resolve divorce, custody, and other family legal matters. With decades of combined experience, we focus on practical problem-solving while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and client care. Our team leverages modern technology to enhance client convenience through secure portals and virtual services.We serve clients across Massachusetts with both in-person and remote consultations. Our estate planning services have expanded in recent years, supported by membership in Wealth Counsel, a national organization of estate planning attorneys. We are committed to helping families navigate complex legal challenges with empathy, transparency, and expertise.
Services
Divorce Mediation
Estate Planning
Collaborative Divorce
Child Custody
Prenuptial Agreements
Parenting Coordination
Domestic Violence Cases
Property Division
Alimony Negotiation
Post-Divorce Modifications
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of experience in Massachusetts family law and estate planning
- Our team combines legal expertise with modern technology for enhanced client convenience
- We maintain membership in Wealth Counsel for advanced estate planning resources
- Our attorneys are skilled in both mediation and courtroom advocacy
- We provide personalized service with a focus on minimizing family conflict
What people say
Professional and thorough
Exceptional knowledge
Made process pain-free
Very responsive
Amazing team
Services
Divorce Mediation
Our divorce mediation services help couples resolve marital dissolution matters amicably. We facilitate constructive negotiations to reach mutually beneficial agreements on property division, child custody, and financial matters. This collaborative approach typically costs less than litigation while preserving family relationships for post-divorce co-parenting needs.
Estate Planning
We create comprehensive estate plans including wills, trusts, and healthcare directives. Our membership in Wealth Counsel provides access to advanced planning tools and resources. We help clients protect assets and ensure their wishes are honored while minimizing family conflict during probate proceedings.
Collaborative Divorce
This structured negotiation process involves joint meetings with both parties and attorneys. We work to resolve all divorce-related issues without court intervention. The process includes financial professionals and mental health coaches to address practical and emotional aspects of marital dissolution.
Child Custody
We help parents establish custody arrangements that serve children's best interests. Our services include creating parenting plans, modifying existing agreements, and resolving disputes through mediation or litigation. We emphasize maintaining healthy parent-child relationships post-divorce.
Prenuptial Agreements
We draft legally binding prenuptial agreements that protect individual assets and clarify financial responsibilities. Our attorneys ensure agreements comply with Massachusetts law while addressing unique client circumstances. We also handle postnuptial agreements for couples seeking similar protections after marriage.
People
Stephen McDonough
Attorney and Mediator
Stephen McDonough founded Next Phase Legal with over 20 years of experience in family law. A certified mediator and collaborative divorce attorney, he helps clients resolve complex legal matters with compassion and expertise. His approach balances legal knowledge with practical problem-solving to achieve favorable outcomes.
Questions
What family law services do you offer in Massachusetts?
We handle divorce mediation, child custody, alimony, property division, prenuptial agreements, domestic violence cases, and post-divorce modifications across Massachusetts.
How does your mediation process work?
Our mediation process involves joint sessions where we facilitate constructive dialogue to resolve disputes amicably. We help create legally binding agreements covering financial matters, child custody, and other divorce-related issues without court intervention.
Do you handle estate planning matters?
Yes, we offer comprehensive estate planning services including wills, trusts, healthcare proxies, and power of attorney documents. Our membership in Wealth Counsel provides access to advanced planning resources.
What areas of Massachusetts do you serve?
We serve clients throughout Massachusetts with offices in Norfolk and virtual consultation options available statewide.
How are your legal fees structured?
We offer various fee structures including hourly rates, flat fees for specific services, and stage-based billing. We discuss all fee options during your initial consultation to find the best approach for your case.
Can you help with collaborative divorce?
Yes, we specialize in collaborative divorce, a structured negotiation process involving joint meetings with both parties, attorneys, and sometimes financial professionals to resolve all divorce issues without litigation.
