Massachusetts has following divorce laws:
Residency
Residency is considered an essential part of Massachusetts divorce laws. According to it, one of the spouses must be a resident of the state of Massachusetts for at least 1 year before filing for divorce.
Documents Required for Filing Divorce
According to Massachusetts divorce laws, following documents are required for filing divorce:
- Complaint for Divorce or Petition for Divorce and
- Judgment of Divorce
Other documents you may need are:
- Joint Affidavit under M.G.L.Ch 208, Sec. 1A
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Financial Statement
- Order for Support
- Health Insurance
- Income Assignment
- Request for Trial - Pre-Trial Assignment
Distribution of Property
In determining the appropriate
property distribution award, the courts shall consider the following:
- Length of the marriage
- Conduct of the parties
- Age
- Health
- Station
- Occupation
- Amount and sources of income
- Vocational skills
- Employability
- Estate
- Liabilities and needs of each of the parties
- The opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income.
Change of Name or Restoration of Name
The Massachusetts divorce court granting a divorce, allows a woman to resume her maiden name after divorce.
Mediation Counseling
The court using its own discretion, upon motion of either party, shall order
mediation counseling if one spouse refutes other’s claim of irreconcilable differences. The divorce court assigns a qualified professional counselor to resolve the issues.
Alimony
Under the Massachusetts divorce laws, the court considers the following, before determining the amount of alimony:
- The length of the marriage
- The conduct of the parties during the marriage
- Ages of the spouses
- Health
- Station
- Occupation
- Amount and sources of income
- Vocational skills
- Employability
- Estate
- Liabilities and needs of each of the parties
- The opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income.
Child Custody
In accordance with Massachusetts divorce laws,
child custody arrangement is decided in the best interests of the child. Massachusetts divorce courts give weightage to all relevant facts.
Child Support
Massachusetts divorce laws have set rules for child support of any child who is 18 but has not yet attained age of 21 years and whose domiciles are in the home of a parent. Furthermore
child support will be provided if the child is dependent upon parent for maintenance.
Contact a professional divorce attorney or divorce lawyer for comprehensive divorce laws information in your state.
