As we covered in a previous post ( What happens after my Divorce Agreement is approved by a Judge? ), there is a 90-120 day waiting period after your divorce is allowed before it becomes final in Massachusetts. But that 90-120 day waiting period may not be exactly 90-120 days from your settlement date: If you filed a Joint Petition for Divorce in Massachusetts then you will participate in an uncontested divorce hearing and the Judge will then issue Findings of Fact the day of the hearing. A Judgment of Divorce Nisi will issue after thirty (30) days, and it will become Absolute after a further ninety (90) days. This means that if you file a Joint Petition for Divorce you are not legally and officially divorced until at least 120 days after the divorce hearing date. If you filed a Complaint for Divorce then your case will end either with a trial (if you don't settle) or an uncontested divorce hearing (if you settle). If you reach an Agreement, then a Judgment of Divorce Nisi w...

There are five questions you will need to answer to get started with a divorce in Massachusetts: 1. CAN you file for divorce in Massachusetts? 2. WHY are you getting divorced? 3. HOW will you get divorced? 4. WHO can help you get divorced? 5. WHERE will you get divorced? We answer each of these questions below: 1. CAN you file for divorce in Massachusetts? If you have been a resident of Massachusetts for one year then you can file for divorce in Massachusetts. Even if you have not been a resident for one year, you still may be able to file for divorce in Massachusetts but it may be complicated to determine. We created an infographic to clarify the confusing question of jurisdiction over a divorce case in Massachusetts by consolidating the statutes and case law into one chart available here: Can I file for divorce in Massachusetts? An Infographic. Just because you can file for divorce in Massachusetts, however, does not necessarily mean the court has jurisdiction o...

There are four tracks you can choose from to get divorced in Massachusetts: Direct Settlement Negotiation, Litigation, Mediation, or Collaborative Divorce. We created the following infographic to help you visualize the different tracks you can choose from, and how you might end up moving from one track to the other (as well as some of the important waypoints along the way): You may reprint or distribute this Infographic on your website so long as the copyright and contact information for Kelsey & Trask, P.C. remains attached to the bottom of the image. To reprint copy and paste the following code: Click here for more information about Divorce Options in Massachusetts .

The following chart displays the paths for determining whether you qualify to file a divorce in Massachusetts. Our hope is that this infographic can help clarify the confusing question of jurisdiction over a divorce case in Massachusetts by consolidating the statutes and case law into one chart. As we discussed in a previous post , just because you can file for divorce does not necessarily mean the court has jurisdiction over all issues in your case. If your case involves residency, property, or children living in multiple states, you should definitely consult with an attorney . You may reprint or distribute this Infographic on your website so long as the copyright and contact information for Kelsey & Trask, P.C. remains attached to the bottom of the image. To reprint copy and paste the following code: Click here for more information about Divorce in Massachusetts .