Divorced Dad Seeks to Delay Ex's Support Modification Case

Wants to push hearing to September when he'll be back in Massachusetts

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, impressionistic photograph depicting a blurred, intimate moment between a parent and child, conveying a sense of melancholy and nostalgia through the use of soft, muted tones and an out-of-focus, dreamlike composition.As a divorced father fights to delay his ex-wife's bid to modify their child support agreement, the emotional toll of their long-distance custody arrangement comes into focus.Woburn Today

A divorced man living in London is seeking to delay a support modification case filed by his ex-wife, who recently moved from Newton, Massachusetts to Martha's Vineyard. He wants to push the June hearing in Woburn to September when he'll be back in the state, as he can't afford a summer rental on the island.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities that can arise when divorced parents live in different locations, especially when one party seeks to modify the original divorce agreement. The venue change and scheduling challenges add an extra layer of difficulty for the father in this situation.

The details

The man's French divorce was registered in the Middlesex County court in Massachusetts because his ex-wife was living in Newton at the time. However, she has since sold that home and moved to Martha's Vineyard, claiming the island's higher cost of living and their son's off-island soccer tournaments require the father to pay child support now. The father wants to delay the June hearing in Woburn until September when he'll be back in Massachusetts, as he can't afford a summer rental on the island.

  • The French divorce was registered in the Middlesex County court in Massachusetts.
  • The ex-wife recently sold her Newton home and moved to Martha's Vineyard.
  • A hearing is scheduled for June in Woburn, Massachusetts.
  • The father wants to delay the case until September when he'll be back in Massachusetts.

The players

The Father

A divorced man living in London who is seeking to delay a support modification case filed by his ex-wife.

The Ex-Wife

The man's former spouse who recently moved from Newton, Massachusetts to Martha's Vineyard and is seeking to modify the original divorce agreement to require the father to pay child support.

Their Son

The child of the divorced couple, whose off-island soccer tournaments are part of the ex-wife's argument for needing more child support.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Now that your ex is no longer living in Middlesex County, you can raise improper venue in her modification case.”

— Wendy Hickey, Legal Expert

What’s next

The father plans to file a motion to change the venue of the June hearing from Woburn to Martha's Vineyard in order to delay the case until September when he'll be back in Massachusetts. He also intends to request that the hearings be scheduled over Zoom since he lives in France.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges divorced parents can face when one party seeks to modify a divorce agreement, especially when they live in different locations. The venue change and scheduling difficulties add an extra layer of complexity that the father is trying to navigate in order to delay the hearing until he can be present in Massachusetts.