Based in Worcester, the Law Office of Barbara S. Liftman assists clients throughout Massachusetts with varied legal issues, including matters involving family law, personal injury, employment discrimination and sexual harassment, civil and business litigation, estate planning and probate administration, and buying and selling real estate. Our office is convenient to Routes 290, 190, and the Massachusetts Turnpike, and there is ample parking.
Family Law
We take pride in our ability to assist families with all of their legal needs. We understand the sensitive nature of family disputes, and we work closely with our clients to guide them toward a resolution that will be in their best interests – and the best interests of their families. Our experience in this area encompasses:
Contested and Uncontested Divorce – Through every stage of the divorce process, we stand by our clients so that their legal rights are always protected. From preparing the initial filing documents to settlement or trial, we make sure our clients’ interests are fairly represented. We also handle divorce and custody matters for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
Custody and Parenting Time– Parents must make difficult and important decisions when going through a divorce or separation, including determining child custody and allocating parenting time. We have significant experience helping both married and unmarried parents develop working custody arrangements. We also assist clients with the modification of custody orders in which one parent wants to relocate out of state or to another part of the state with the child/children.
We handle various other family law matters, including:
- Child support
- Alimony
- Guardianship
- Paternity
- Adoptions
- Prenuptial agreements
Personal Injury
We represent clients who were injured or killed because of another person’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. By focusing on the facts surrounding the incident and linking together a chain of events that led to the injury, we present successful personal injury cases that compensate her clients for pain and suffering, medical expenses, damaged property, lost wages and other damages stemming from the negligent act or behavior. Personal injury claims often involve:
- Auto accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Injuries to pedestrians
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous or defective premises
- Dog bites
- Dangerous or Defective products
- Professional malpractice
- Wrongful death
Most personal injury cases are “contingent fee” cases, which means that you pay no legal fees unless we recover money on your behalf. Call now for a free consultation.
Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
Both Massachusetts and federal laws protect employees from unlawful discrimination in the workplace. Employers are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, national ancestry, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, and the existence of a criminal record.
Employment discrimination claims may involve:
- Sexual harassment – “quid pro quo” harassment and hostile work environment
- Wrongful termination and other adverse employment actions
- Adverse actions against whistleblowers
- Unfair treatment due to pregnancy
- Violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Failure to accommodate handicapped individuals
Employment discrimination cases require an experienced attorney with a thorough understanding of the applicable laws, court rules and procedures. The Law Office of Barbara S. Liftman is adept at handling employment discrimination cases, and we will vigorously pursue your claim.
Nonpayment of Wages
Under Massachusetts’ wage and hour laws, employees may be entitled to triple damages plus legal fees in cases where employers failed to pay overtime, commissions, vacation pay, and minimum wage, among other types of compensation. For example, if an employer failed to pay an employee $5,000 that he or she earned in sales commissions, the employee can receive an award of more than $15,000. Our office can help you if your employer did not properly compensate you for your work.
In Massachusetts, with few exceptions, employers are required to pay overtime pay at the rate of one and a half times your hourly rate if you work more than 40 hours in a week. Many employers will try to misclassify employers as “managers” or as “independent contractors” in an attempt to avoid overtime pay and other benefits. You may be entitled to retroactive overtime pay and not even realize it because your employer told you that you were exempt from overtime.
Estate Planning, Administration, and Litigation
We assist our clients with the estate planning process, and with administering the estates of deceased loved ones, including:
Probate of wills and administration of trusts – With many years of experience with the probate process, we assist our clients in handling the administration of their deceased loved ones’ estates in an efficient and timely manner. We also represent clients in connection with the administration of trusts.
Will contests – We have experience representing clients when a family member or third party challenges the probate of a will. Whether the issue arose because of improper execution, fraud, undue influence, or testator incapacity, we ably support our clients through will disputes.
Estate litigation – We represent clients in estate litigation matters, including disputes between the executor of the estate and beneficiaries of a will, and allegations of estate mismanagement or breach of fiduciary duty.
Buying and Selling Real Estate
If you are purchasing real estate, we will review your offer to purchase and your purchase and sale agreement and represent you at closing, making sure that you understand every aspect of the transaction. Do not be misled by buyers and mortgage companies who tell you that you do not need a lawyer because the lender’s lawyer can represent you. The buyer and the lender do not always have the same interests as you do. You need an experienced real estate attorney who is on your side. If you are selling real estate, our office will draft and negotiate the purchase and sale agreement, prepare your deed, and represent you at closing.
General Civil and Business Litigation and Representation
With our extensive trial experience, we are prepared to take on a broad range of civil and business litigation matters, including Chapter 93A consumer protection claims, consumer to business disputes, and business to business disputes. We represent many local businesses including manufactures, retailers, auto dealers, and restaurants. Our broad range of litigation experience includes suits involving professional negligence or malpractice; breach of non-disclosure and non-compete agreements; failure to pay employee benefits, including suits brought under ERISA; disputes involving life insurance coverage, disability insurance, commercial casualty and hazard insurance, marine insurance, and business interruption insurance; bank fraud; eminent domain (land taking); boundary disputes between neighbors; and, zoning disputes with cities and towns.
Seek Experienced, Personal Representation
With the Law Office of Barbara S. Liftman, you’ll be glad we’re on your side! Contact the Law Office of Barbara S. Liftman today for a consultation.