Massachusetts divorce at a glance
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Divorce in Massachusetts: the 1A and 1B tracks
Massachusetts structures its divorce law around two tracks that no other state uses. A 1A divorce is the joint petition — both spouses sign a complete separation agreement covering property, alimony, custody, and support, and the court reviews it together. A 1B divorce is the standard complaint when spouses cannot agree, filed by one spouse against the other. The 1A track is dramatically faster and cheaper, which is why agreeing couples almost always choose it.
Every Massachusetts divorce ends with a nisi period — a waiting window between the initial judgment and the final decree. The 1A path carries a 90-day nisi, while a 1B case runs 120 days. During the nisi period the marriage is technically still in effect, and the judgment does not become absolute until the period ends.
Filing requires one year of Massachusetts residency, and the case goes to the Probate and Family Court, which handles nothing else but family matters. Property is divided equitably under G.L. c. 208 § 34, and child support follows the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. The complaint form is CJD-101, and filing costs about $200 to $215.