Massachusetts Divorce Forms & Papers

Divorce Papers > Massachusetts Divorce Forms & Papers

When filing a divorce in Massachusetts, you need to know if you fulfill the residential requirements of the state. The process of divorce is simplified these days and it won't be a surprise when people wish to do a divorce all on their own. One should however be a little careful when filling the forms and the necessary paper work as it comprises of the most important tasks, especially if you are doing a divorce all by yourself. Lawyers or attorneys are hired for this very reason in order to get a divorce without much ado. Massachusetts divorce forms and papers can also be obtained for free. Your queries, the procedure to file and divorce and all the related documents that you require for filing a divorce can be obtained here. However, if you still have any more queries, it is advisable to contact a divorce attorney and get them clarified.

Residential Requirements:

If the grounds for divorce occurred in Massachusetts, one spouse must be a resident. If the grounds occurred outside the state, the spouse filing must have been a resident for one year. The divorce should be filed for in the county in which the spouses last lived together. If neither spouse currently lives in that county then the divorce may be filed for in a county where either spouse currently resides. [Massachusetts General Laws Annotated; Chapter 208, Sections 4,5,6]. For more information on filing divorce see our page on ways for filing divorce.

Grounds for a Divorce:

The one and only no-fault ground for divorce in Massachusetts is Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. [Massachusetts General Laws Annotated; Chapter 208, Sections 1, 1A, 1 B]

On the other hand the grounds for a fault based divorce could range from adultery, impotence, imprisonment, drug addiction or alcoholism, inhuman and cruel treatment, nonsupport and desertion for a year.

No matter what the reason for a divorce is, when filing a divorce on your own, you can either do an agreed divorce or a default divorce. The grounds on which you take a divorce do not hamper when you are doing a divorce on your own, provided it should be agreed upon by both the parties. Agreed divorce is the most common form of divorce as it is easy to obtain and terms and the conditions of the divorce are agreed upon by both the parties. The spouses agree upon terms such as property distribution and child custody. The best part of an agreed divorce is that the parties end on a good note and it does not lead to cat fights in the court with the whole world as your audience. This way you can keep your moral intact and portray a better person in front of your kids, without much to lose.

USE THESE WORDS IN THE COURT DOCUMENTS FOR MASSACHUSETTS

Use these exact words, all in capital letters: COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE TRIAL COURT, THE PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT DEPARTMENT, DIVISION (contact your County Clerks office for the name of the division in your county).
Use these exact words, all in capital letters: PETITION FOR DIVORCE
If you do NOT have a separation agreement incorporated into your papers, Use the word "Petitioner". Be sure the "P" is capitalized. If you DO have a separation agreement incorporated into your papers, Use the word "CoPetitioner". Be sure the "C" and "P" are capitalized.
If you do NOT have a separation agreement incorporated into your papers, Use the word "Respondent". Be sure the "R" is capitalized. If you DO have a separation agreement incorporated into your papers, Use the word "CoPetitioner". Be sure the "C" and "P" are capitalized.
Use these exact words, all in capital letters: JUDGEMENT OF DIVORCE
Use the word "County" here.

For detailed divorce laws in Massachusetts state, please see Massachusetts Divorce Laws page.

Free Massachusetts Divorce Forms for Download

Following divorce forms are free for download. Most of the forms are provided with instructions on how to fill the form. To download any of these divorce papers and forms just right click on the link and select "Save As...".

Massachusetts Divorce Instructions

Massachusetts Divorce Forms that Both Parties Must sign

Forms & Documents

Massachusetts Divorce Court Forms