Massachusetts Divorce

Residency Requirements

You may file for a divorce in Massachusetts if you have lived in the state for at least the previous one year, no matter if the cause of divorce occurred outside of the state.

If you are living in Massachusetts at the time of filing for divorce and the cause of the action occurred within the state you can file for divorce even if you haven’t lived in the state for one full year as long as it doesn’t appear that the plaintiff moved into the state solely for the purpose of obtaining a divorce.

 

Grounds for Divorce

A divorce may be adjudged for:

a) Adultery;
b) impotency;
c) utter desertion continued for one year next prior to the filing of the complaint;
d) gross and confirmed habits of intoxication caused by voluntary and excessive use of intoxicating liquor, opium, or other drugs;
e) cruel and abusive treatment;
or f) an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

 

Division of Property

When dividing property, the court shall consider:

a) the length of the marriage;
b) the conduct of the parties during the marriage;
c) the age;
d) health;
e) station;
f) occupation;
g) amount and sources of income;
h) vocational skills;
i) employability;
j) estate;
k) liabilities;
and l) needs of each of the parties and the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income.

In dividing the property, the court shall also consider the present and future needs of the dependent children of the marriage. The court may also consider the contribution of each of the parties in the acquisition, preservation or appreciation in value of their respective estates and the contribution of each of the parties as a homemaker to the family unit.

 

Spousal Support

Massachusetts courts may make a judgment for either of the parties to pay alimony to the other. In addition to or in lieu of a judgment to pay alimony, the court may assign to either husband or wife all or any part of the estate of the other, including but not limited to, all vested and nonvested benefits, rights and funds accrued during the marriage, including retirement benefits, pension, profit-sharing, annuity, deferred compensation and insurance.

In determining the amount of alimony, if any, to be paid, the court shall consider:

a) the length of the marriage;
b) the conduct of the parties during the marriage;
c) the age;
d) health;
e) station;
f) occupation;
g) amount and sources of income;
h) vocational skills;
i) employability;
j) estate;
k) liabilities and needs of each of the parties; and
l) the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income.

 

Child Custody

In making an order of child custody, the rights of the parents shall be held to be equal, and the happiness and welfare of the children shall determine their custody. When considering the happiness and welfare of the child, the court shall consider whether or not the child’s present or past living conditions adversely affect his physical, mental, moral or emotional health.

 

Child Support

In determining the amount of the child support obligation or in approving the agreement of the parties, the court shall apply the state child support guidelines. The court can deviate from the guidelines if it feels such a departure is consistent with the best interests of the child.

A child reaches the age of majority and is emancipated when the child turns 18, or when the child turns 21 if the child is living with a parent, or when the child turns 23 if the child is enrolled in an educational program.

 

Massachusetts Resources

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Laws & Courts:

Massachusetts Law – state statutes, Title III, Chapters 207 to 210.
Massachusetts Court System – includes a FAQ sheet, downloadable documents and forms, searchable opinions and information on the branches of Massachusetts courts.
Supreme Judicial Court Slip Opinions – online record maintained by the Social Law Library of Boston.

Additional Resources:

The Fatherhood Coalition (CPF) – advocates for the institution of fatherhood. The CPF promotes shared parenting and an end the discrimination and persecution faced by divorced and unwed fathers. Numerous chapters are located throughout the state.
Massachusetts Bar Association – information on family law, court news, and legal links are among the items you’ll find at the MBA site.
Children’s Rights Council – national nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that works to assure children meaningful and continuing contact with both their parents and extended family regardless of the parents’ marital status. For Massachusetts chapters, contact Nick Palermo at 617-426-0050.
Men’s Resource Center of Western Massachusetts – located at 236 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002, this organization’s mission is to support men and to develop men’s leadership in challenging all forms of oppression in our lives, our families and our communities. mrc@valinet.com
Concerned Fathers of Massachusetts, Inc. – contact George Kelly at 413-736-7432.
National Parents Organization is a Massachusetts based non-profit organization advocating for the right of every child to have two parents.

Public Access to Court Records –

Public Case Information allows users to serach by docket number, party, attorney, or lower court.
(Source: National Center for State Courts)


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The State Resource pages are provided for informational purposes only. Do not take any actions based upon the information contained within the State Resource pages without first consulting an attorney licensed in your state. We at DadsDivorce.com strive to keep our information up-to-date; however state laws are not static and subject to change without notice.