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What to Know About Divorce in Massachusetts?

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If you are getting a divorce in Massachusetts (MA), you might want to get familiar with the State’s family law. Hiring divorce lawyers in MA to handle your divorce is a great idea because you’ll be engaging the services of qualified lawyers that understand the specific dictates of the law as it affects your divorce case. Here are some key things to know about MA divorce laws.

Residency

In MA, the residence status of anyone involved in a divorce is taken seriously. You can only institute or respond to a divorce in the State if you reside there. If you and your spouse apply for a no-fault divorce, MA laws require a minimum of one-year residency to give separation. If you file an at-fault divorce, with a strong reason such as adultery, the State permits you to file for separation without meeting the one-year residence requirement.

Residency laws for divorce cases are set to promote fairness and to close legal loopholes that either divorcing party may exploit.

Settlement As Early as 30 Days

If you and your spouse reach a successful agreement and have no contentions, divorce lawyers in MA can help you get a separation within 30 days. Although the State has a 60-day waiting period, divorces can be quick and clean in MA; so far, all parties are actively interested in making it happen.

Divorcing a Convicted Partner

In MA, you can file for divorce with a convicted partner who is facing more than 18 months in jail. The court will hear the case without requiring a waiting period.

Response Time

Once the court serves your partner with the divorce papers, the person has 30, 60, or 90 days to respond depending on whether the person lives within MA, outside MA but within the US, and outside the US respectively. A failure to respond means that the court will proceed with the divorce.

Annulments

In certain cases, courts can order an annulment instead of a divorce. MA family law does not recognize any supposed legal union between blood relatives or a marriage to a partner that is not legally divorced. Such unions are considered “void” and are annulled. Sometimes, however, MA courts may give an annulment and call it a divorce.

You Can Represent Yourself

In MA, you can represent yourself in any legal case, including divorce. But what are your chances of negotiating a favorable settlement for yourself when you have to go against seasoned lawyers? That is why you have to hire divorce lawyers in MA to help you.