News

Juliet’s Marathon Fundraiser

She's a runner, she's a track star...she's our top-notch legal assistant running to support
Team for Kids at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. Juliet Miechkowski is running
to raise funds for an organization that will support youth and community programs like
Rising New York Road Runners. These programs serve over 2.5 million students across
the country providing opportunities for the youth to get involved in running and fitness.
Funding also goes towards training teachers and coaches who dedicate themselves to
getting our kids active, and to providing program supplies. (Click here for more info on
Team for Kids)


 With a caring heart and youthful vigor, Juliet inspires us to think about the future
generation and the communities that support them. After spending months training to
build and promote healthier habits and wellbeing, we at the firm are all proud of Juliet's
resilience and dedication.


"Since beginning my running journey, it has pushed me not only physically but
emotionally, as well. Being able to share that with younger age groups gives me a new
motivation." - Juliet M.


Here at Hess Law Group, we aim to support our team both in and out of the office, so
please join us in supporting our beloved legal assistant and children across the nation.

While we may not all be able to run in the marathon, surely, we can run our pockets for a good cause!

Click here to give a donation and cheer Juliet on to the finish line!

Kelsey Fitzsimmons - Acquitted

Monday, March 23, 2026, began the first day of a 4-day bench trial in front of Judge Jeffrey T. Karp in Essex County Superior Court. Representing the Prosecution were Essex County District Attorneys James Gubitose and Marina Moriarty. Defending Kelsey Fitzsimmons were Attorney Timothy Bradl and Attorney Martha Coakley, together with their paralegal Courtney Healy, and the legal team at Hess Law Group--Attorneys Julie R. Hess and Ryan Leonard.


"I got shot. I went to jail for 103 days. I haven't seen my son. I had to sell my home that I worked very hard for. So, this is my first breath of fresh air, and I feel like I can breathe again. However, my fight is not over. I have a son that I need to reunite with, and that's where we're at right now." - Fitzsimmons (comment post trial)


As a supporting legal team for Law Offices of Timothy J. Bradl Law, the acquittal of Kelsey Fitzsimmons was a huge success for our mutual  client. This success is one on which we pride ourselves for our legal acumen that crosses into various legal territories. Zealous advocacy at its finest! Now we move onto the next steps in family court to get Kelsey reunited with her son.


Inheritance and Divorce

Money inherited by one spouse during a marriage is generally treated differently than other assets that are acquired before or during a marriage or divorce.

Typically, when one spouse receives money during a marriage, those funds are martial funds and subject to division upon divorce. However, with inheritances, whether both spouses are entitled to part of the money will depend on a number of different factors.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 208 §34 vests broad authority in judges of the Probate and Family Court to make equitable division of the property included in the marital estate of the divorcing parties. Pfannenstiehl v. Pfannenstiehl, 475 Mass. 105 (2016).

There are times when spouses enter into a marriage with some inheritance. If the inheritance is kept separate, under a separate title, or in a separate account, without commingling during the marriage toward the marital enterprise, the property should continue to be held only by the recipient of the inheritance without division. Commingling can occur in various ways, such as paying down credit cards that were used toward the martial partnership, purchasing furniture for
the joint household, or even just depositing some of those funds into a shared bank account.

Let HLG Help You

Inheritance issues can be tough to understand if you are facing a divorce, and it is best to consult an attorney prior to receiving the funds to assist you in protecting them; once utilized during the marriage, you could jeopardize protecting the funds fully. If the inheritance has already been distributed, it is important to know how to keep the funds separate and protected.

This post is not a comprehensive review of the myriad of issues that could affect your particular circumstance. If you would like to know more about inheritance and divorce, contact us to discuss your specific situation and how to protect your inheritance.

Written by: Kimberly Wyllie, J.D. and Julie R. Hess, Esq.