Massachusetts Online Divorce: Cheap MA Divorce Papers (24/7)

How to get an online divorce

Step1

Check If You Qualify

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Step2

Complete Questionnaire

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Step3

Review Completed Forms

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Step4

File for Divorce

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Online Divorce in Massachusetts

divorce in Massachusetts

For those seeking an inexpensive divorce in the state of Massachusetts, online divorce is an easy, affordable, and fast solution for legal forms preparation. Online divorce may be appropriate for couples who have an uncontested case.

The step-by-step process of preparing divorce documents at Onlinedivorce.com makes it easy for you. We help organize all of the necessary divorce forms and provide detailed written instructions on filing your divorce in Massachusetts.

Our divorce documents preparation service can be a perfect solution for those who want to have their divorce papers completed quickly and without stress. Even though Massachusetts has unique divorce forms and filing requirements, our online system can provide you with precisely what you need and provide instructions on how to file. We have helped thousands of people prepare their divorce documents for filing.

If you and your spouse agree on the terms of the divorce and want an amicable dissolution to your marriage, why should the process get drawn out, and why should you spend money on lawyers? Online divorce is often cheaper, quicker, and easier.

Online divorce can be a perfect option if you want to save money or hope to have your divorce finalized quickly to get on with your life. Preparing documents online for a divorce in Massachusetts is fast becoming very popular because you can complete the forms in the comfort of your home.

Even if you think your case is too complex because you have children, own your own home, or have other assets, you may still be able to prepare your documents online. Just start with our simple questionnaire, and we’ll provide you instructions for each step of the way.

Finally, you don’t have to worry - our process is 100% secure. We protect your information, and nothing is filed until you submit the divorce papers to the courthouse yourself. Filing for divorce in Massachusetts with the Onlinedivorce.com system can be a simple solution to a difficult situation.

Filing:

When you use OnlineDivorce.com, we help you fill out your divorce paperwork using a simple online questionnaire. You can fill it out alone or with the assistance of your spouse. Then, after getting the other spouse’s signature, the divorce forms may be filed at the local court.

In Massachusetts, you will typically file with the courthouse in the county in which you currently reside. If a petitioner is not currently a resident, but a defendant is, divorce is typically filed in the county where the defendant resides.

The actual filing process is explained in our detailed court-filing instructions that we provide, along with your completed divorce forms. You can also obtain assistance from your local courthouse by calling or stopping by.

After the initial filing, you may need to follow up if there are any issues with your documents. When you use OnlineDivorce.com, we allow you to make minor adjustments to your forms as requested by the court at no additional charge. Our goal is to help you obtain your divorce with as little hassle and stress as possible using our online divorce documents preparation service.

Residency:

Every state has specific requirements where divorcing couples must establish residency before filing for divorce. Massachusetts is no exception.

Massachusetts has a one-year residency requirement. It means that at least one of the divorcing parties must have lived in the state for this length of time.

There are many ways to prove that residency has been established. The easiest way is if one or both spouses have a valid and current Massachusetts driver’s license, ID card, or voter’s registration card issued at least 12 months before filing for divorce. If this is not the case, it may be possible to establish residency by having someone who knows you or your spouse testify that you have lived in the state for at least 12 months. Additionally, it may be possible to use an Affidavit of Corroborating Witness form, and it should serve as proof you’ve lived in the state for a minimum of 12 months.

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Valid grounds to get divorce in Massachusetts

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Grounds for an online divorce using OnlineDivorce.com are the same as they would be for any divorce within the State of Massachusetts. Grounds are merely the reason for divorce, and the state must approve them.

 

A no-fault divorce in Massachusetts can be filed based on what is called an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

 

Fault-based reasons for divorce include adultery, impotence, imprisonment for over five years, and willful desertion for one year. Filing under one of these fault-based grounds may become a more complicated and expensive process than filing without fault.

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Custody of the child in Massachusetts

Custody of the child

If there are children involved in a divorce, the couple will need to determine how to handle custody. It isn’t something that a couple has to do all on their own.

There are regulations in place that can help the court determine the best possible custody situation for each case. If the parents already have a plan in mind, they can present this to the court, and it will be given due consideration before any other agreement is made.

The Massachusetts state court holds the parents’ rights equal to the child’s happiness. It means that when ordering child custody, the court will consider whether the child’s living conditions would negatively impact his or her health and well-being, and they will also look at what the parents desire.

Rules for child support in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has put state-mandated child support guidelines into place, which will apply in almost every case, barring extraordinary circumstances. With this, both parties’ gross incomes and particular child-related expenses are considered when calculating the child support obligation.

In most cases, child support payments continue until the child reaches eighteen years of age and can extend until the completion of secondary school.

Either or both parents may be ordered to pay child support, based upon these factors:

  • The financial resources of the child;
  • The standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the marriage had not been dissolved;
  • The physical and emotional conditions and educational and medical needs of the child;
  • The financial resources, requirements, and obligations of both the noncustodial and the custodial parent;
  • The age of the child;
  • The cost of any daycare;
  • The parenting plan for the child;
  • The needs of any other person that a parent is obligated to support; and
  • The provision of health and medical insurance for the child.

A portion of the parents’ property can sometimes be set aside in a trust fund to support the child.

A parent may be required to provide health insurance coverage for a child if available at a reasonable cost. There are child support guidelines adopted by the Department of Public Health and Human Services that are to be considered by the court.

Child support pay­ments may be required to be made through the Department of Health and Human Services. [Massachusetts General Laws Annotated; Chapter 208, Section 28 and Massachusetts Rules of Court; Appendix of Forms]

Uncontested Massachusetts divorce with children

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Rules for spousal support in Massachusetts

Rules for spousal support

Alimony is sometimes ordered to help a spouse live in the manner established during the marriage. Support can be decided upon by the couple together before filing or by the court in a contested case.

The court may award rehabilitative (short-term) or more permanent alimony to either of the spouses in either lump-sum payments or as monthly/yearly payments or both.

Either spouse may be ordered to pay spousal support to the other. The factors to be considered are:

  • The contribution of each spouse towards property;
  • The duration of the marriage;
  • The current age and health of the spouses;
  • The jobs held by the spouses;
  • The amount of and sources of income of the spouses;
  • Any vocational skills of the spouses;
  • The employability of the spouses;
  • The debts and needs of each spouse and the opportunity of each for further acquisition of such;
  • The conduct of the parties during the marriage [if the grounds for divorce are fault-based];
  • Any health insurance coverage; and
  • The present and future needs of any children of the marriage.

A fault is not listed as a factor if the grounds for the divorce are not fault-based Health insurance coverage can be ordered to be provided as part of the maintenance award. [Massachusetts General Laws Annotated; Chapter 208, Sec­tions 1A and 34]

More information is available as you begin filing your divorce through OnlineDivorce.com. Please note that alimony payments can be ordered to be paid through a state depository in some cases.

Property division in Massachusetts

Property division

When a couple chooses to divorce in Massachusetts, they must distribute property fairly and agreeably. It can be one of the most challenging parts of going through the divorce process for many couples.

It may be possible for a couple to come up with a property distribution plan on their own without involving the court. In doing so, it can make for a more relaxed and less stressful uncontested divorce.

However, when there is some disagreement on how property is to be divided, the state has specific rules to make it easier.

Massachusetts is an “equitable distribution” state. As such, the spouse’s property, including any held before the marriage and any gifts and inheritances, is divided by the court, without any regard to marital misconduct, based on these factors:

  • The contribution of each spouse toward acquiring marital property, including the contribution of each spouse as homemaker;
  • The duration of the marriage;
  • The current age and health of the spouses;
  • The occupation of the spouses;
  • The sources of income of the spouses;
  • The skills of the spouses;
  • The employability of the spouses;
  • The liabilities and needs of each spouse and the opportunity of each for further acquisition of capital assets and income;
  • The time necessary for a spouse to acquire sufficient education to enable the spouse to find appropriate employment;
  • Any premarital agreement;
  • If there is a prior marriage of each spouse;
  • Whether the property award is instead of or in addition to maintenance; and
  • Any health insurance coverage.

A fault is not a factor if the grounds for the divorce are irretrievable breakdown of the marriage filed in conjunction with a separation/settlement agreement. [Massachusetts General Laws Annotated; Chapter 208, Sections 1A and 34]

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Contested Divorce

Hourly Billing - Driving the Average Cost of Divorce to $15,000+

Contested divorces can be lengthy and costly due to spouses being unable to agree on one or more key issues, including child custody, property division, or spousal support.

  • Offline and inconvenient process in which both parties often hire attorneys to represent their interests.
  • The adversarial nature of a contested divorce can lead to heightened emotional stress and strain for both spouses and their families.
  • Absent a settlement, the final divorce judgment and terms are determined by the court, which may not fully align with the preferences of either spouse.
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The premier uncontested divorce tool

Fast, affordable, and simple process using our fully-guided divorce questionnaire and filing service.

  • Online process to be completed at your own pace, can get documents as quickly as same day.
  • Receive ready-to-file forms specific to your jurisdiction and situation.
  • Easy online access for both spouses, free revisions for 30 days, and the ability to save your data longer term. Experienced customer support via chat and phone.
  • Ancillary services to ensure optimal outcomes, including name changes, co-parenting support, and getting started with your life after divorce.
  • Detailed instructions on how to file with the court or the option to purchase our filing service.

Mediation support in Massachusetts

If irreconcilable differences are cited as a reason for the divorce, mediation may be ordered to help the couple decide if divorce is truly the best option.

For those seeking to prepare their divorce papers using OnlineDivorce.com, utilizing divorce mediation can be a great tool to smooth out disagreements and prevent the case from going to court. It can be the simplest way to assure a fast, easy and affordable online divorce.

Divorce forms in Massachusetts

Massachusetts forms produced by OnlineDivorce.com are court-approved divorce forms. We have automated filling out paperwork to simplify matters and avoid any difficulties that may occur with filling out paperwork by yourself. By utilizing OnlineDivorce.com, you can simplify preparing divorce documents and help both parties move forward with their lives.

Divorce in Massachusetts online

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Filing fees for divorce in Massachusetts

When you file your divorce papers, the court will charge filing fees that may vary by county. These costs are in addition to the cost of using OnlineDivorce.com. Please check with your local courthouse to determine the exact amount.

How long will it take?

Using the OnlineDivorce.com service usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours or more, depending on the complexity of your case. Start by filling out the questionnaire. You can do it in one sitting or save your progress and complete it at a later date. Whatever is most convenient for you.

Once you’ve received the completed documents, you will need to sign and file them and get your spouse’s signature. More information regarding the finalization of the divorce case is provided once the paperwork has been completed and submitted to the court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really file for divorce in Massachusetts without a lawyer?

Massachusett law allows people to represent themselves in any legal matter, and marriage dissolution is no exception.

Although divorce without a lawyer (also called 'Pro Se divorce') is the most inexpensive way to handle a divorce, it is not recommended for contested cases or high-conflict cases where the spouses have not reached an agreement about the essential terms of their separation.

However, taking such a DIY approach to divorce, handling things independently, and avoiding extra fees can benefit couples splitting amicably. They should negotiate and reach an agreement about child custody, property division, alimony payments, etc., and sign a separation agreement.

If the spouses need some help with their uncontested divorce, they can resort to divorce option alternatives instead of traditional litigation.

For example, if they would like to save time and effort doing the paperwork, they may take advantage of OnlineDivorce.com in Massachusetts. Though OnlineDivorce is not eligible to give legal advice, it can take over all the paperwork issues, from gathering the needed forms to completing them and providing filing instructions.

Those who need help trying to draft a separation agreement or parenting plan may resort to mediation or counseling instead of hiring attorneys.

How can I file for divorce in Massachusetts without a lawyer?

There are two types of divorce in Massachusetts. 1A Divorce is a no-fault uncontested divorce, allowing the spouses to file a Joint Petition for Divorce. 1B Divorce means that the parties are not in agreement about custody, support, or property matters, so one spouse is considered a plaintiff, and the other is a defendant in a lawsuit. In a 1B contested divorce, the plaintiff must officially serve the defendant with the divorce papers.

To start any divorce action, the plaintiff or both spouses jointly (as co-petitioners) must complete a Complaint for Divorce or Joint Petition for Divorce, respectively, and file the other initial divorce papers with the Probate and Family Court Department. Also, at the moment of filing, the plaintiff must pay a court filing, which is mandatory regardless of divorce type.

The next step of the procedure is only required if the spouses are filing for a 1B divorce. The plaintiff must deliver copies of the Complaint and Summons to the defendant by hiring a sheriff or constable (an additional fee is charged). The service process must be accomplished within ninety days after filing the Complaint.

Spouses applying for a 1A divorce skip the service process, so the final court hearing can be scheduled with no delays - typically, in a few weeks after the filing date.

How much does it cost to get an uncontested divorce in Massachusetts?

An uncontested divorce is typically cheaper than a contested proceeding, but divorce costs still greatly vary depending on a particular case’s circumstances.

The only mandatory fee is a court filing fee charged when submitting the initial divorce documents (about $200 in Massachusetts).

The other expenses, including attorneys' or paralegals' fees, online divorce services fees, costs for mediation, unbundled legal service, and more, are at the spouses' discretion.

How long do you have to live in Massachusetts to file for divorce?

For Massachusetts courts to have jurisdiction over the divorce case, the spouses must meet the state's residency requirements.

According to Massachusetts General Laws, if the ground for divorce occurred within the state, at least one of the spouses must currently reside in Massachusetts.

If the ground for divorce occurred out of state, or the parties cannot prove the requirement above, either of the spouses must have been a Massachusetts resident for at least one year before filing the Petition or Complaint for Divorce.

How long do you have to respond to divorce papers in Massachusetts?

In a 1B divorce, the plaintiff shall serve the defendant with the divorce documents (Complaint for Divorce, Summons, and the Return of Service form) within ninety days after filing the complaint.

Once the defendant is served, they must file the Answer with the court within twenty days from the date specified in the Summons.

In Massachusetts, the court does not automatically enter a default judgment against a defendant that does not file an answer on time.

If he or she does not file an Answer, and the plaintiff returns the Summons to the court, the court shall schedule a Case Management Conference to talk about the case individually.

How do you get a free divorce in Massachusetts?

Although a no-fault uncontested divorce in Massachusetts can be relatively inexpensive, it is still not free.

Even if the spouses managed to resolve all the disputed issues out-of-court and without any legal representatives and draft the papers by themselves, they still have to pay a court filing fee.

An exception is provided for the plaintiffs who cannot afford to pay this cost. To apply for a fee waiver, they must provide information on their income, debts, and liabilities. If the court approves the request, the fee shall be reduced to $25.

What papers do I need to file for a divorce in Massachusetts?

The initial legal forms required to file for divorce in Massachusetts vary depending on the type of dissolution. For example, the spouses must file either a Joint Petition for Divorce or Complaint for Divorce.

Other common divorce forms include Joint Affidavit, Financial Statement, an Income Assignment Worksheet, Request for Trial Assignment, Certificate of Absolute Divorce or Annulment, a Divorce/Separate Support Summons, an Answer and Counterclaim,
Settlement Agreement.

If the spouses have minor children, they should also file an Affidavit Disclosing Care or Custody Proceedings and Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.

Here is how OnlineDivorce.com makes completing divorce papers easier:

  • We provide the full divorce packet required by the local court - clients do not need to drive to their local courthouse to get the blank forms or search for the right divorce forms online. In rare cases, local county forms can vary in color, paper material, size, or bar code, so they may need to be obtained directly from the county clerk's office.
  • We complete the necessary forms for clients based on their answers given in a simple guided online interview - clients do not need to understand family law or read through complicated instructions to figure out how to fill out the forms themselves.
  • We give detailed, easy to follow step-by-step instructions for filing a divorce with the court - so the client knows exactly what to do to get his/her divorce finalized.
  • We provide unlimited technical support - if a client needs assistance through the online process, he/she can always reach out to us via phone, email, or live chat, and we'll do our best to help.
  • We save our clients time and money - if divorcing spouses agree regarding the terms of their divorce, they typically don’t have to pay thousands to a lawyer to handle their divorce forms and don't need to spend hours trying to do it all by themselves.