Massachusetts
Massachusetts Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 18, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 18, 2026. · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Massachusetts allows divorce on a no-fault ground called "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage," available as either a joint 1A petition (both spouses agree) or a unilateral 1B complaint. You must have lived in Massachusetts for at least one year before filing, and no prior separation period is required.
Grounds for divorce in Massachusetts
Massachusetts recognizes both no-fault and fault-based divorce. The no-fault ground is "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage," which means the marriage has broken down permanently with no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. You do not have to prove anyone did anything wrong.
There are two no-fault paths. A 1A divorce requires both spouses to file a joint petition, along with a signed separation agreement covering property, alimony, and custody. A 1B divorce is filed unilaterally when one spouse wants a divorce but the other does not agree, or the parties cannot reach a full settlement at the time of filing.
Fault grounds are still available under M.G.L. c.208, sec. 1: adultery, cruelty and abusive treatment, utter desertion for one year, habitual intoxication or drug addiction, nonsupport, and impotency. Pursuing a fault ground can affect alimony and property division in some cases, but most Massachusetts divorces proceed on the no-fault ground.
Residency requirement
To file for divorce in Massachusetts, you must have lived in the state for at least one year immediately before filing. An exception applies if the cause for the divorce arose in Massachusetts and both spouses last lived together in Massachusetts; in that case you may file without satisfying the one-year period (M.G.L. c.208, sec. 5).
Divorce is filed in the Probate and Family Court in the county where either party lives. If you file jointly, you may use the county where either spouse resides.
Waiting period and separation
Massachusetts uses a nisi period, which is different from a separation requirement. A nisi period is a mandatory pause after the judge issues the divorce judgment before it becomes final. You do not have to live apart before you file.
For a 1A (joint) divorce, the court schedules a hearing at least 30 days after filing. Once the judge approves the agreement, there is an additional 90-day nisi period before the divorce is final, making the fastest possible timeline roughly 120 days from the date of filing.
For a 1B (unilateral) divorce, M.G.L. c.208, sec. 1B requires that no hearing take place and no judgment of divorce nisi be entered until at least six months after the complaint is filed. After that hearing (and trial if needed), a 90-day nisi period runs after the judgment, so the statutory floor for a 1B divorce is roughly nine months from filing to finality, not counting any additional time a contested case takes to reach trial.
There is no requirement to live separately before filing. The nisi period protects parties who may reconcile after judgment, since either spouse can move to rescind the divorce within that window.
How property is divided
Massachusetts is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. That means marital property is divided fairly based on the circumstances of the marriage, but "fairly" does not automatically mean 50/50. The court has broad discretion.
Under M.G.L. c.208, sec. 34, the judge considers the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions (including homemaking), the age and health of each party, the amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, liabilities, and the needs of any dependent children. The court may assign any asset acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title.
Separate property (assets owned before marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance and kept separate) may be shielded, but Massachusetts courts have discretion to reach premarital assets in longer marriages. If property division is contested, you will need detailed financial disclosures, and a judge will decide based on the factors above.
Alimony, custody, and child support
Alimony, child custody, and child support are decided as part of the divorce process in Massachusetts. In a 1A divorce, the parties resolve all these issues in their separation agreement before filing. In a 1B divorce, the court decides any unresolved issues at trial.
Massachusetts reformed its alimony law significantly with the Alimony Reform Act of 2011. The type and duration of alimony (general term, rehabilitative, reimbursement, or transitional) depends on the length of the marriage and each spouse's financial need.
For more detail on each topic, see the Massachusetts alimony page at /us-laws/alimony/massachusetts-alimony-laws, the child custody page at /us-laws/child-custody/massachusetts-child-custody-laws, and the child support page on this site. To estimate a payment based on both parents' incomes, use our Massachusetts child support calculator.
How to file for divorce in Massachusetts
Step 1: Confirm residency. Make sure you or your spouse has lived in Massachusetts for at least one year, or that the cause of the divorce arose in Massachusetts while you both lived there.
Step 2: Choose the right path. If you and your spouse have reached a full agreement on all issues, a 1A joint petition is faster. If not, file a 1B unilateral complaint.
Step 3: File in the right court. File in the Probate and Family Court in the county where either spouse resides. Pay the filing fee (fees vary by court; check with the Probate and Family Court in your county for the current amount).
Step 4: Serve the other spouse. In a 1B case, you must serve the complaint and summons on your spouse according to Massachusetts rules of civil procedure. In a 1A case, both spouses file together, so formal service is not required.
Step 5: Exchange financial disclosures. Both parties must file a Financial Statement (short or long form depending on income) with the court. Full disclosure is required; hiding assets can expose you to sanctions.
Step 6: Attend hearings and negotiate. A 1A divorce requires one hearing where the judge reviews and approves the separation agreement. A 1B divorce may require pretrial conferences and, if issues remain unresolved, a trial before a judge.
Step 7: Receive the judgment nisi. The judge enters the judgment nisi. The 90-day nisi period then runs. After that period, the divorce is absolute (final) unless one spouse files to rescind.
For self-help forms and procedural guides, the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court maintains resources at mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/pfc/.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Divorce law varies by state and depends on the specific facts of your marriage. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in Massachusetts.
Related pages
More Massachusetts Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a divorce in Massachusetts?
A 1A joint divorce is typically the fastest: after filing, there is a 30-day period before the hearing, then a 90-day nisi period, so the minimum is about 4 months. A contested 1B divorce takes longer: the court cannot hold the hearing or enter a judgment of divorce nisi until at least six months after filing, so the statutory floor alone is about 9 months once the 90-day post-judgment nisi period is added, and a fully litigated case that goes to trial often takes 12 to 18 months or more.
How much does a divorce cost in Massachusetts?
Filing fees vary by county and by the type of filing. Attorney fees depend on whether the divorce is contested. An uncontested 1A divorce handled by attorneys may cost several thousand dollars total; a fully litigated 1B divorce can cost significantly more. Check with your local Probate and Family Court for current filing fee schedules.
Do I need a reason to divorce in Massachusetts?
No. You can file on the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown without proving fault. You simply state that the marriage has broken down permanently. Fault grounds such as adultery or cruelty exist but are not required.
Is Massachusetts a community property state?
No. Massachusetts is an equitable distribution state. A judge divides marital property fairly based on factors like the length of the marriage, each party's contributions, income, and needs. Equitable does not mean equal; the split is based on the circumstances.
How long do I have to be separated to get a divorce in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts does not require a separation period before filing. For a 1B divorce, the court cannot hold the hearing or enter judgment until at least 6 months after filing, then a 90-day nisi period runs after that judgment, about 9 months total; a 1A divorce is roughly 120 days total. This is a statutory processing timeline, not a requirement to live apart before filing.
Can I get divorced without my spouse agreeing in Massachusetts?
Yes. A 1B unilateral complaint lets one spouse file for divorce based on irretrievable breakdown even if the other spouse objects. The court will hold hearings and, if necessary, a trial to resolve property, alimony, and custody. The divorce can be granted even over a spouse's objection.
Do I have to live in Massachusetts to file for divorce there?
You or your spouse must have lived in Massachusetts for at least one year before filing. An exception applies if the cause of the divorce arose in Massachusetts and both spouses last lived together there; in that situation you can file without the one-year residency.
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Updates
Added the mandatory 6-month floor from filing before a contested (1B) Massachusetts divorce can reach its judgment of divorce nisi (M.G.L. c.208 sec. 1B), which the page previously omitted in KeyTakeaways, the body, and two FAQ answers that described only the 90-day post-judgment nisi wait; also split the single c.208 citation into separate citations for secs. 1, 1A, and 1B.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
Sources and References
- M.G.L. c.208, sec. 1B (Divorce: unilateral complaint; 6-month pre-hearing floor and nisi timeline)(malegislature.gov).gov
- Massachusetts Probate and Family Court self-help resources(mass.gov).gov
- M.G.L. c.208, sec. 1 (Divorce: fault grounds)(malegislature.gov).gov
- M.G.L. c.208, sec. 1A (Divorce: joint petition procedure)(malegislature.gov).gov