Divorce attorney fees mean divorces in Massachusetts can be thousands of dollars. Divorce Bob offers a legally binding agreement which you complete online and is mailed to you in 2 business days...and all for less than an hourly cost of a local lawyer.
Ideal for an uncontested divorce, you organise all your assets and liabilities and we produce official divorce papers which can be signed and sent to the courts when you are ready.
Starting from just $84, we also have payment plans available and there is no obligation to proceed. You can take as long as you want!
Either spouse can file for divorce in Massachusetts, as long as at least one of them has been a resident of the state for at least one year.
If the grounds for divorce occurred in Massachusetts, then there is no time requirement for residency.
In Massachusetts, either spouse can file for divorce for one of the following reasons:
Adultery, impotency, desertion for one year, non-support, substance abuse, cruelty or a prison sentence of 5 years or more.
However, there is also a 'no fault divorce' where the marriage is simply broken beyond repair without blame.
In Massachusetts, an individual must wait for a period of between 90 and 120 days before their divorce becomes “final”.
This length of waiting period varies depending on the type of divorce, but is intended to give them time to make arrangements and reconcile if possible. Ideally, you want to make the process as simplified and stress-free as possible. See our guide on making a peaceful divorce.
However, if the reason for the divorce is adultery or abuse, the separation period may be waived.
Massachusetts is not a community property state, meaning it doesn't follow the 50/50 model.
Instead, Massachusetts follows an equitable distribution model for dividing property in a divorce. This means that marital property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, based on a variety of factors, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial needs and contributions, and the value of each spouse's separate property.
Separate property, which is property owned before the marriage, acquired individually by gift or inheritance, or excluded by a prenuptial agreement, generally remains with the spouse who owns it.
The cost of a divorce in Massachusetts can vary widely depending on several factors such as the complexity of the issues involved, whether the divorcing spouses can reach an agreement outside of court, and whether they use the services of an attorney.
However, regardless of whether the divorce is disputed or undisputed, the filing cost of $200 will be necessary. Using Divorce Bob's paperwork, uncontested couples can expect to complete their divorce for under $400.
The average cost of a contested divorce in Massachusetts however, is estimated to be between $12,500 and $19,500.
This estimate can increase significantly if the case involves litigation or multiple hearings in court.
In Massachusetts, the minimum time for an uncontested divorce is 90 days from the date of filing.
For a contested divorce, the timeline varies depending on the specific circumstances and complexity of the case. It can take several months or even years to finalize a contested divorce.
In Massachusetts, child custody is decided based what is deemed best for the child.
The court may prioritize the child's health, safety, and welfare when making a decision. However they will also take into account the relationship with each parent, the child's physical and emotional needs and their personal choice if they are old enough to give it.
There are two types of custody in Massachusetts: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the right to make important decisions about the child's upbringing, such as education, medical care, and religion. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and how much time they spend with each parent.
The court may award sole custody to one parent or joint custody to both parents. Under joint custody arrangements, both parents share decision-making authority and parenting time.
