It can be upsetting to go through the legal stages of a divorce and to see the end of a life you thought would continue indefinitely. It is understandable for you to be concerned about how much longer it will be until things start to look up for you.
What you need to know about the no-fault divorce laws in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can be understood from an Andover high asset divorce lawyer.
It depends on the circumstances surrounding the no-fault divorce.
If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are filing for dissolution of marriage on the grounds that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and have reached agreements on all major issues (a 1A no-fault divorce), such as child custody, child support, alimony, and property distribution, the divorce could be finalized in as little as 120 days.
After a court decides that a marriage has failed beyond repair, a judgment nisi (the interim period between the divorce being granted and its finalization) is entered thirty days later. This marks the beginning of the divorce process. In the event that you and your partner have not made amends by the time the 90-day term has passed after the date of the judgment, the divorce will be finalized at that time.
Contested divorce
Suppose one or both spouses believe that the marriage has been irretrievably broken but cannot agree on essential matters (referred to as a “1B no-fault divorce”). In that case, the divorce may be considered “contested” and take longer than is strictly necessary. Unless the court agrees to waive this requirement, your hearing will not be scheduled any sooner than six months following the date you initially filed. A trial may also be required if you cannot resolve all of the concerns throughout the hearing. The judge will decide at the end of the problem, so stay tuned for that. Your divorce will be finalized after a waiting period of ninety days, starting from the day the judgment was entered.
Keep in mind
Please keep in mind that this is the “best case” scenario. The amount of work the court has on its docket will substantially impact the time it will take to finalize your divorce.
The legal proceedings associated with a divorce can be time-consuming and difficult; having legal representation can help you go through the process as swiftly as possible.
