Online Divorce
in Massachusetts
- Divorce papers ready to download in 2 business days
- Step-by-step filing instructions with 24/7 customer support
- Affordable and convenient
- Divorce papers ready to download in 2 business days
- Step-by-step filing instructions with 24/7 customer support
- Affordable and convenient
How it works?
Step 1
Qualify for divorce
Confirm our product will work for your situation
Step 2
Provide your case details
Provide the information required through our easy to use questionnaire
Step 3
Get your papers
Review forms and make unlimited changes before finalizing documents
Step 4
File for divorce
Papers come with comprehensive filing instructions
We can help you if
- You have kids
- You are currently pregnant
- You and your spouse have common property or debts
- Your spouse is missing
- You know nothing about the divorce process
- You have disagreements with your spouse
- You are in a same-sex marriage
- You need help filing with the court
Benefits of Massachusetts Divorce Online
Cost effective solution designed to support you without lawyer fees
Up-to-date forms and instructions for your specific court to ensure success
Our intelligent engine gives you specific instructions for your situation
We can handle court filings and serving your spouse
Our dedicated customer care team provides instructions throughout the process
We can connect you with independent licensed attorneys in your state to answer questions about your case
Expert-guided post-divorce support to help you happily move on with your life
Additional support services to help you navigate divorce — help with kids, the house, financial matters and more
Our services *Services available after registration.
- Get your divorce papers within 30 minutes after divorce interview
- Expedited phone and email support for any questions, changes or updates.
- Initiate Case with Court
- Effortlessly Serve Your Spouse
- Finalize Divorce
How long does it take to get a divorce in Massachusetts
The length of the divorce process depends on the type of divorce.
In Massachusetts, an uncontested no-fault divorce, called 1A divorce, is considered the quickest way to end a marriage. This type of process can be completed as early as 120 days after the judge approves the separation agreement.
30-day after the court approval is granted, the 90-day waiting period (also called the nisi period) starts. It gives both partners a chance to change their minds if they aren’t sure about their decision to get divorced. If the spouses don’t want to change anything, the divorce becomes final once the nisi period ends.
When it comes to a contested no-fault divorce 1B, the process takes longer as spouses need to serve papers, exchange financial statements, and attend pre-trial court hearings (if required). In addition, the final hearing can’t be scheduled earlier than 6 months from the filing date.
After the divorce decree is issued, spouses have an obligatory waiting period of 90 days, as in 1A divorce.
The same rule applies to at-fault divorces in Massachusetts, but they take even more time as the filing spouse needs to prove the other party’s misconduct. Therefore, the more complicated the case and the more disagreements the spouses have, the longer the process will take.
Residency Requirements in MA
Before proceeding with a divorce, spouses must meet residency requirements, allowing the court to review the case. In Massachusetts, these requirements vary depending on where the cause for a breakup happened.
If the reason that led to the divorce happened outside Massachusetts:
- the plaintiff must have lived in the state for at least one year before taking legal action; or
- the spouses must have lived together in Massachusetts, and one of them must have lived in the state when the reason for the dissolution of the marriage happened;
If the reason for divorce occurred in Massachusetts, the plaintiff must live in the state when filing. However, the court will consider whether the filing spouse has moved to Massachusetts for the purpose of getting divorced.
If the filing spouse doesn’t meet at least one of the above requirements, they have several options:
- Establish residency;
- Ask the second spouse to act as a petitioner if they fulfill the requirements;
- Consider another state where they meet residency requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to file for an uncontested divorce in Massachusetts?
To get an uncontested divorce, spouses need to agree on all divorce-related issues and sign a Separation Agreement. They also need to state that their marriage is irretrievably broken. This way, spouses will qualify for an uncontested no-fault 1A divorce.
Once the couple is ready to proceed, they must complete all the required paperwork and file it with the court.
How much does a divorce cost in Massachusetts?
The average cost of a divorce in Massachusetts is $12,000. Legal fees make up the bulk of the amount.
However, spouses can cut expenses if they opt for an uncontested divorce. This way, they can avoid hiring a lawyer and use MassachusettsOnlineDivorce to prepare documents. The service costs just $159, making uncontested divorce more affordable.
How to get a free divorce in Massachusetts?
Spouses filing for divorce can ask the court to waive obligatory filing fees if they don’t have money to pay. They can do it by filling out an Affidavit of Indigency. If the request is court-approved, the fees will be canceled.
How to get divorce papers in Massachusetts?
Divorcing couples can download blank forms from official resources like Mass.gov and complete them themselves or hire an attorney.
However, there’s another legit option. With MassachusettsOnlineDivorce, spouses get an easy-to-use tool to select and generate completed papers for an uncontested divorce in a matter of 2 business days independently. It’s a cheap and effective solution that makes divorce paperwork less hassle.
Where do I go to file for an uncontested divorce in Massachusetts?
Partners can file their uncontested cases offline with Probate and Family Court or online using the eFileMA filing system.
When using the latter option, spouses need to understand that they can’t get a divorce online in Massachusetts. They can use online tools to complete paperwork and the local e-filing system to file their case online. The final judgment is made by the judge offline in the court.
What are the grounds for divorce in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts allows both no-fault and at-fault grounds for divorce. No-fault grounds imply that neither side is to blame for the marriage breakdown. Spouses just need to state that their union is irretrievably broken.
Fault-based grounds include infidelity, desertion, gross habits of intoxication, cruel treatment, non-support, impotence, and a prison sentence of 5 years or more. Choosing one of these reasons, the filing spouse must provide evidence.
How is property divided in a Massachusetts Divorce?
Massachusetts is an equitable distribution state. It means that all marital property (that acquired during the marriage) must be divided fairly among the spouses, which isn’t always a 50/50 split.
Spouses can decide on property division themselves, allowing them to proceed with an uncontested divorce. If they can’t agree, the judge will decide for them.