Massachusetts Divorce

Please also visit our new website dedicated to Massachusetts Divorce.   We have included some Massachusetts divorce information on this page.  However, we recently launched a new comprehensive divorce site dedicated to the state of Massachusetts that includes a Massachusetts divorce law guide and interactive Maryland divorce documents that you can immediately complete on-line and see the results before you buy.  Click here to go to http://www.madivorceonline.com - The Massachusetts Divorce Legal Information Center.

Divorce Law
Massachusetts permits no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable breakdown of the marriage. May be contested or uncontested. There is a 120-day waiting period for an uncontested no-fault divorce. Otherwise, the entire process should take less than six months. Massachusetts also permits fault divorces. The residency requirement is 1 year.

Mass Bar Help - a service of the Massachusetts Bar Association that provides resources and legal information. 

Marriage and Living Together Law

Massachusetts Marriage License Law

Child Custody and Visitation Law
FAQ on Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child.

What is Best for Your Child? - Working Through Child Custody and Visitation
Information About How to Establish Paternity
from the family law handbook series produced by Neighborhood Legal Services

Property Division
Massachusetts is an "equitable distribution" state, generally meaning that all marital property acquired during the marriage is subject to division.
Statutory factors include: (1) length of marriage; (2) conduct of parties during the marriage; (3) age, health, station, occupation, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and need of each; (4) opportunity for future acquisition of capital assets and income; (5) present and future needs of dependent children; (6) contribution of each to acquisition, preservation or appreciation of the property.