Get a fault divorce

In a fault divorce, the person asking for the divorce must prove a specific reason for the divorce. Follow the steps below to get a fault divorce in Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Find out if you can get a fault divorce in Massachusetts

You can file for divorce in Massachusetts if:

  • You've lived in the state for 1 year or;
  • The reason the marriage ended happened in Massachusetts and you've lived in the state as a couple

To get a fault divorce, you must prove a specific ground(s) or reason for the divorce. These grounds are listed in M.G.L. c. 208, s.1:

  • Adultery
  • Desertion
  • Gross and confirmed habits of intoxication
  • Cruel and abusive treatment
  • Non-support
  • Impotency
  • A prison sentence of 5 or more years  

The fault divorce process can take longer and be more expensive than a no-fault divorce. 

Key Actions for Step 1: Find out if you can get a fault divorce in Massachusetts

Step 2: Fill out your paperwork

For everyone

Anyone filing for a fault divorce needs to file:

If you have children under 18

Couples with children under 18 must also:

  1. Fill out these forms:

File these forms at the clerk's office.

Special circumstances

Some people may also need to file:

Step 3: File your paperwork and fees

Fees

You'll need to pay the following fees for a fault divorce. You can pay your fees with a bank check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, cash, or a credit card.

Name Fee
Divorce filing fee $200
Divorce filing surcharge $15
Divorce summons charge $5

How to file

You can file for a fault divorce in person or by mail.

If you or your spouse lives in the county where you lived together, file the required forms and fees with the Probate and Family Court in that county. Otherwise, file in the county where you or your spouse live now. Find your Probate and Family Court.

Step 4: Serve the papers on your spouse

The court will mail you a summons after your paperwork has been filed. The complaint for divorce and summons are served on the other spouse. See service of process of domestic relations complaints for more information on how to do this.

Key Actions for Step 4: Serve the papers on your spouse

Step 5: Exchange financial statements & write up a separation agreement

After your spouse has been served, they will likely file an answer. See respond to a case filed against you in Probate and Family Court for more information on that process.

Once your spouse (the defendant) has filed an answer, you will need to exchange financial statements and write up a separation agreement. It’s helpful to speak to a lawyer about the choices you make. If you aren't able to talk with a lawyer, the law libraries and public libraries have examples of separation agreements.

Additional Resources for Step 5: Exchange financial statements & write up a separation agreement

Step 6: Attend a pre-trial hearing

There may be a pre-trial hearing scheduled by the court if you and your spouse have issues you can’t agree on. You will receive a notice in the mail about the hearing. To prepare for a pre-trial hearing, the parties or their lawyers will submit a pre-trial memorandum. This will happen after discovery, which is the process of finding out information from the other party by submitting questions (called interrogatories) to the other party, or by requesting certain documents. You must also decide if you’re going to call any witnesses for the trial.

To go forward without a trial (meaning all the issues have been agreed on), you need to have the notarized, signed separation agreement, and financial statements filed with the court.

Step 7: Attend a hearing

The divorce is finalized 90 days after the judgment date.

 A hearing can't be scheduled any sooner than 6 months from the filing date unless the court has granted a waiver. You will receive a notice in the mail with information on your scheduled hearing.

The judge will either accept, reject, or amend the separation agreement at the hearing. If the parties haven't reached an agreement on all of the issues, there will be a trial and the judge will make the final decision. When a judgment is entered, the divorce is finalized 90 days later, after the nisi period has ended. Please see Finalizing a divorce for more information.

Key Actions for Step 7: Attend a hearing

Additional Resources for Step 7: Attend a hearing

Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback

Feedback