Facing a divorce, custody dispute, or other family law matter is one of life’s most difficult transitions. At Hera Law Group, our family law attorneys guide clients across Massachusetts and Rhode Island through every step, from the first filing to the final judgment, with clarity and care. Whatever your situation, our team is here to protect your interests and your family’s future.
Melissa Levine-Piro is the founder of Hera Law Group, overseeing the firm’s operations while personally handling select prenuptial, postnuptial, and litigation matters. A Boston Magazine Top Lawyer and Super Lawyer honoree, she’s also deeply active in the Maynard community, having served as a town Selectman.
Amanda Castro, Esq. is the Managing Partner at Hera Law Group and a dedicated family law attorney serving clients across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She guides clients through divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity matters with a steady, strategic approach, and is committed to helping families navigate difficult transitions with clarity and confidence.
Alanna Bravman, Esq. is a Partner at Hera Law Group with extensive experience representing clients in family law matters throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She regularly appears in the Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Barnstable, and Worcester County Probate and Family Courts, handling divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity matters. Alanna is known for her practical, client-focused approach, helping families navigate difficult transitions with compassion and clear guidance.
Family law matters touch every part of life — your children, your finances, and your future. At Hera Law Group, our attorneys handle a full range of family law matters for clients throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Below is general information about some of the matters we regularly handle; every case is different, so nothing on this page should be treated as legal advice for your specific situation.
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including through our offices in Maynard, Milton, and Cape Cod.
A “209C action” is a Complaint for Custody, Support, and Parenting Time filed by parents who were never married to one another. These cases establish parenting-related rights and responsibilities — including custody, parenting time, and child support — outside of a divorce proceeding. Our attorneys help unmarried parents throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island file, respond to, and resolve 209C actions in Family and Probate Court.
Custody determinations address both legal custody (decision-making authority over a child’s health, education, and welfare) and physical custody (where the child primarily resides), along with a detailed parenting time schedule. Whether custody is contested or resolved by agreement, our family law attorneys work to develop parenting plans that reflect each family’s circumstances and each child’s best interests.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island each apply child support guidelines that calculate a presumptive support amount based on each parent’s income, the parenting schedule, and the needs of the children. Our attorneys help clients calculate, negotiate, and, when necessary, litigate child support orders, as well as address related issues like health insurance and extracurricular expenses.
When a party fails to comply with a court order — whether related to custody, parenting time, child support, or another provision of a judgment — the other party may file a complaint for contempt. Our attorneys help clients enforce existing court orders and defend against contempt actions brought against them.
In custody disputes, courts often appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to investigate and report on issues affecting a child’s best interests. Our attorneys guide clients through the GAL investigation process, from the initial interview through the final report and its use in court, and can also help clients seek an investigation when one may benefit their case.
Custody, parenting time, and support orders are not necessarily permanent. When there has been a material change in circumstances — such as a job loss, relocation, or a change in a child’s needs — either parent may file a complaint for modification. Our attorneys help clients pursue or respond to modification actions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Family and Probate Courts.
Establishing legal paternity is often the first step for unmarried parents seeking to address custody, parenting time, or child support. Our attorneys assist clients with voluntary acknowledgments of parentage as well as contested paternity actions, helping parents secure their legal rights and responsibilities.
What Families Are Saying About Hera Law Group
“My husband and I worked with Emily to set up our trust. We are truly blessed to have connected with her. Emily prepared all the documents, reviewed with us the process, went through the steps to execute the trust, and answered all our questions. She made what could have been a complex procedure clear and easy. We plan to contact Emily for all our future estate needs.”
Margaret Coburn
“My experience with Hera Law group with exactly what I would expect from working with a top-tier firm. They made my Estate planning process simple and FAST. They moved quickly with scheduling, made sure I understood everything along the way, and delivered an excellent client experience. I felt like a VIP client. Highly recommend. (May 2026)”
Kathleen A.
“The Hera Law Group handled our Family Trust documents with the utmost professionalism and courtesy. Emily’s level of communication was thoughtful with easy-to-follow directions. We appreciate the support she provided as we moved through the process. Thank you Hera Law Group! (July 2026)”
Audra A.
As a Massachusetts and Rhode Island family law firm, Hera Law understands that hiring an attorney is a big decision. We welcome you to call us for a free initial 15 minute phone consultation. Consults and meeting time beyond the initial consult are billed at each attorney’s normal hourly rate.
Hera Law Group is a Massachusetts and Rhode Island family law firm serving Norfolk, Barnstable, Nantucket, Worcester, Middlesex, and Providence Counties. We're a client-driven firm dedicated to protecting what matters most to your family, from family law and estate planning to probate.
Melissa Levine-Piro, Esq.
Founder
Hera Law Group
Melissa Levine-Piro is the founder of Hera Law Group, overseeing the firm's operations while personally handling select prenuptial, postnuptial, and litigation matters. A Boston Magazine Top Lawyer and Super Lawyer honoree, she's also deeply active in the Maynard community, having served as a town Selectman.
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