Divorce Steps in Massachusetts
Although people get divorced every day in Massachusetts, the process is usually anything but simple. There are many steps to divorce, and getting them all right is key to achieving your goals. That's why it is important to have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney by your side as you go through divorce.
If You Have Been Served With Divorce Papers, or You Are Considering Filing for Divorce, Talk to a Lawyer Before You Do Anything Else
At The Massachusetts Family Law Group, our Springfield lawyers get it right the first time, avoiding roadblocks and obstacles that can slow the divorce process and prevent you from achieving your goals.
If the time has come to leave your spouse, you need a solid exit plan. More than 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce, and those who fail to plan can be hit very hard. If your spouse has initiated proceedings, it is critical to be represented and informed by a lawyer. Our attorneys help clients develop their exit plans and advise them about strategies that can lead to a positive outcome for them and their kids.
The Divorce Process in Massachusetts
Once you have decided on divorce, or your spouse has told you that he or she wants a divorce, you need to learn what comes next. Our lawyer s walk clients through the process, explaining all the steps necessary to getting divorced in Massachusetts. These include:
- Filing the complaint
- Responding to the complaint
- Filing a counterclaim
- Appearing in court to obtain temporary orders relating to child custody, parenting plans, financial issues and protection from domestic violence, if necessary
- Completing the mandatory parenting classes, complying with financial disclosure requirements, and beginning discovery
- Conducting discovery, and consulting with investigators and experts to determine needed facts about the children, the finances and the property
- If the parties cannot agree to settle, the case will proceed to trial. In this event, the next step is a pretrial conference, during which the judge makes sure that a trial is necessary. If the pretrial conference does not avert a trial, the court schedules a trial where you will tell your story through testimony and exhibits
Each divorce is different and requires a different strategy. Depending on your circumstances, some of these steps may take a long time or are unnecessary altogether if you have decided on an uncontested divorce. Our lawyers can advise you about what to expect in your situation.
Contact Our Springfield Divorce Attorneys
To learn more about MFLG, our attorneys and our family law practice, contact our Western Massachusetts law firm. Call us toll free at (800) 941-DIVORCE to get started.
