Do We Have To Go To Court To Get A Divorce?

There are several ways you can get a divorce in Massachusetts. If you are contemplating divorce, you may be worrying about having to go to court. The court will have some role in your divorce; however, you do not have to let the court decide on all your issues for you. If you can reach an agreement with your spouse on your own or with the help of a skilled divorce mediator, you can submit your written separation agreement, along with other required forms, to the court. The court will set a hearing date for the review of your agreement, which you and your spouse will have to appear at. If the court approves your agreement you will not have to appear in court again and your divorce will automatically finalize after the initial divorce nisi period.

If you and your spouse cannot work out a separation agreement on your own, you can take your divorce to court to litigate it, however, this is often highly adversarial and a drain on resources. If you wish to avoid the experience of a courtroom divorce, and most people typically do, consider divorce mediation as a non-adversarial alternative to litigation. Mediation provides the opportunity for both spouses to work out a separation agreement with the guidance of an impartial third-party who can help ensure the separation agreement is fair, reasonable, and in accordance with Massachusetts law.

If you can work out a separation agreement during mediation, you can submit it to the court and wait for your hearing. Again, if your separation agreement is approved at the hearing, you will not have to appear in court again.

Courtroom divorces can turn spouses against each other and may impede healthy communication going forward. This is especially detrimental to any children that are involved, as co-parents must learn how to cope and work together for the benefit of the child. Consider working with a skilled divorce mediator if you want to minimize stress and conflict in your divorce.

Mediation is a cost-effective alternative to obtaining a Massachusetts divorce without having to go through the ordeal of divorce litigation.

Are you going through a divorce and want to learn about mediation?

Mediation Advantage Services can help. Experienced in divorce mediation, Law Office of Polly Tatum can help ensure your divorce mediation is successful. Based in historic Worcester, our firm serves all cities and towns throughout Massachusetts and Worcester County including, Auburn, Paxton, Leicester, Sutton, Grafton, Shrewsbury, Westboro, Northboro, Southboro, Holden, Sterling, Princeton, Worcester, Charlton, Millbury, Dudley, Spencer, Brookfield, Sudbury, Natick, Framingham, Hopkinton, Milford, Blackstone, Leominster, Fitchburg, Acton, Jefferson, Barre, Oakham, Cambridge, Newton, Marlboro, Lancaster, Bolton, and Hudson. Call our office at  (774) 366-3711, fill out our online form, today to schedule your Complimentary Mediation Success Planning Session.

You can also sign up for our eNewsletter or download our free guide for more information regarding divorce in Massachusetts.