Section 16. Any judge of a probate court wherein any action for divorce is pending may appoint an attorney to investigate and report to the court in relation thereto and may direct such attorney, or any other attorney, to defend the action. The attorney may be appointed either before or after a judgment of divorce nisi has been granted, and may enter objections to such judgment nisi becoming absolute in the same manner as the defendant. His compensation shall be fixed by the court, and shall be paid by the commonwealth, together with any expenses approved by the court, upon certificate by a justice to the state treasurer. The state police, local police and probation officers shall assist the attorneys so appointed, upon his request.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title III - Domestic Relations
Section 1 - Causes for Divorce; General Provisions
Section 2 - Causes for Divorce; Confinement for Crime
Section 3 - Causes for Divorce; Absence; Presumption of Death
Section 4 - Causes for Divorce; Domicile of Parties
Section 5 - Causes for Divorce; Exceptions to Sec. 4
Section 6b - Filing of Action; Statistical Report
Section 8 - Commencement of Actions
Section 11 - Ex Parte Hearing; Allowance or Denial of Motion to Insert Name of Third Person
Section 12 - Libels for Divorce; Spouse's Property; Attachment
Section 13 - Libels for Divorce; Attachment; Manner
Section 14 - Libels for Divorce; Attachments; Laws Applicable
Section 15 - Libels for Divorce; Mentally Ill Defendant; Appointment and Compensation of Guardian
Section 16 - Investigation of Divorce Case
Section 17 - Pendency of Action; Allowance; Alimony
Section 19 - Pendency of Action for Divorce; Custody of Children
Section 20 - Continuance of Action; Temporary Separation
Section 20a - Judgment Denying Divorce; Living Apart for Justifiable Cause; Authorization
Section 21 - Divorce Judgments; Entry
Section 22 - Libels for Divorce; Desertion; Proof
Section 23 - Resumption of Former Name by Woman
Section 24 - Divorced Parties; Remarriage
Section 24a - Certificate of Divorce; Contents
Section 25 - Divorce for Adultery of Wife; Legitimacy of Issue
Section 27 - Curtesy or Dower After Divorce
Section 28a - Temporary Care; Custody and Maintenance of Minor Children
Section 29 - Minor Children; Foreign Divorces, Care and Custody
Section 30 - Minor Children; Removal From Commonwealth; Prohibition
Section 31 - Custody of Children; Shared Custody Plans
Section 32 - Child; Bringing Before Court; Writ of Habeas Corpus
Section 33 - Jurisdiction; Procedure
Section 34 - Alimony or Assignment of Estate; Determination of Amount; Health Insurance
Section 34a - Alimony Judgment Ordering Conveyance; Effect
Section 34b - Order to Vacate Marital Home
Section 35 - Alimony; Enforcement
Section 36 - Security for Payment of Alimony or Support; Enforcement of Judgments or Orders
Section 37 - Alimony; Revision of Judgment
Section 39 - Foreign Divorces; Validity
Section 40 - Cohabitation After Divorce
Section 42 - Procurement of Unlawful Divorce
Section 43 - Advertisement to Procure Divorce
Section 44 - Certificate of Divorce; Unlawful Issuance
Section 45 - Criminal Offenses; Notice to District Attorney
Section 46 - Statistical Reports; Additional Information
Section 48 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 49 to 55
Section 49 - Termination, Suspension or Modification of General Term Alimony
Section 50 - Termination, Extension or Modification of Rehabilitative Alimony
Section 51 - Termination of Reimbursement Alimony; Modification; Applicability of Income Guidelines
Section 52 - Termination of Transitional Alimony; Modification or Extension
Section 54 - Remarriage of Payor; Income From Second Job or Overtime Work