FindLaw | Find a Lawyer. Find Answers.
Are you a legal Professional?
My current location:
,
| Change location
Massachusetts Legal Requirements for Divorce
Explanation of Chart and More Information on Requirements for Divorce
| Code Section | Ch. 208 §§1-5, §21 |
| Residency Requirements | Parties must have lived together in the commonwealth unless plaintiff lived there 1 yr. before filing or cause occurred in the commonwealth and plaintiff filed when living there. |
| Waiting Period | 90 days unless court orders otherwise. |
| 'No Fault' Grounds for Divorce | Irretrievable breakdown. |
| Defenses to a Divorce Filing | No defense. |
| Other Grounds for Divorce | Adultery; utter desertion for 1 yr.; drug/alcohol addiction; impotency; nonsupport; conviction of crime (sentenced for at least 5 yrs.); absence (raises presumption of death). |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law:
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Related Resources for Divorce: