Massachusetts Simple Divorce
Contact Our Amicable Separation Attorneys in Dartmouth, Easton, Hanover or Chatham
After a separation, you and your spouse may have decided to part ways amicably. Neither of you wishes to attack or seek revenge from the other. You are confident that you agree on the major components of your pending divorce, including custody and visitation, child support and alimony, property division and any tax implications.
When Complications Are Minimal, Uncontested Divorce May Work
You believe that your divorce will be simple and straightforward. You are not in any disagreement over business ownership interests, stock options, retirement accounts or any real estate ownership. You are not involved in any ongoing bankruptcy or foreclosure that may complicate any financial component of your divorce. There have been no false allegations of abuse. And yet it still makes sense to have a lawyer at your side to make sure everything is done properly and that you have certain must-have clauses in your agreement.
Don't Make the Mistake of a Do-It-Yourself Divorce
Many people think that because there are no contested issues, they can take care of a divorce by themselves and save money by not hiring an attorney. We know that this is an understandable but short-sighted mistake; we have had to step in many times to try to correct problems arising from self-representation (lawyers and judges call this pro se representation). The courts in Massachusetts, including those in Barnstable, Plymouth and Bristol counties, do not make allowance for pro se litigants; they are required by law to hold self-represented parties to the same standards that apply to attorneys.
What to Expect in Court
Even when the parties finally agree on all the issues, they will still need to go to court before the divorce is finalized. At this hearing, the probate and family court judge will ask them questions such as:
- Do you understand the agreement? Have you read it?
- Is the signature on the agreement really yours?
- Did you sign the agreement voluntarily?
- Have the relevant laws been explained to you, especially the laws about equitable distribution of property?
Property issues cannot be modified later on, so the judge wants to be sure that the parties understand the permanent consequences of the agreement.
If the judge is satisfied with the answers to questions such as these, he or she will issue the final divorce decree and you will be on your way to the next stage of your life.
Experienced Attorneys to Guide You Through Uncontested Divorce
At The Massachusetts Family Law Group (MFLG), we protect our clients during uncontested divorce. We worry about the law so they don't have to, using our more than 40 years of combined experience to achieve our clients' goals.
We make sure that all issues are dealt with and that the proper Massachusetts divorce forms are filled out and filed correctly. If there are issues that still need to be negotiated before the parties can come to an agreement, we know how to stay focused on the goal: a relatively quick and painless divorce.
Beware of the Pitfalls of Mediation
Some couples have heard that mediation is a less expensive and fairly quick process that prevents the parties from fighting in court. While mediation sounds simple enough, our attorneys warn clients against potential dangers and pitfalls of mediation .
If there has been a history of controlling, intimidating or abusive behavior in your marriage, or either of you is seeking independent legal advice (which a mediator cannot provide), mediation likely will not work for you.
Flat-Fee Divorce — Another Option
MFLG has a sister firm, Massachusetts Flat-Fee Divorce Attorneys, that provides a wide range of services related to uncontested, simple divorce for a guaranteed price. We believe that this is the best option for people who really need to save on legal costs — and who are truly in agreement with their spouses about the details. People get the best of both worlds; their documents are reviewed by an experienced divorce lawyer, and they have the security of knowing exactly how much it will cost.
Need Information About Uncontested Divorce?
Our Plymouth law office serves clients on Cape Cod, the South Coast and the South Shore counties of Massachusetts, including towns such as Brockton, Hingham, Bridgewater, Attleboro, Bourne, Falmouth, Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard and Chatham. Contact us at (800) 299-DIVORCE to learn how we can help you get through divorce as quickly as possible, while protecting yourself and your children. We offer a free, no obligation consultation with an experienced lawyer to discuss uncontested divorce in Plymouth.
