How Can I Divorce my Spouse Who Lives in a Different State?

Divorce is a complicated process. Unfortunately, while you may feel like you need time off to focus on yourself, you must force yourself to get down to business. The sooner you take care of your divorce, the better. Thankfully, our firm is here to help you along the way. If you are you are ready to divorce and move forward with the process, you must first satisfy the residency requirements for your state. To learn more about residency requirements and how to proceed with your divorce as a whole, please read on. Here are some of the questions you may have regarding the legal process going forward:

What are the residency requirements in Massachusetts?

The residency requirements in the state of Massachusetts are simply that one of the spouses must be a Massachusets resident, as long as the grounds for divorce occurred in Massachusetts. However, if the grounds for divorce occurred outside of Massachusetts, then one spouse must be a resident of the state for at least one year. If you believe you satisfy the residency requirements, then you may proceed with your divorce. Generally, the sooner you act, the better. If your spouse lives in another state, then there is a good chance you may have to travel to him or her if you do not file first.

How does the divorce process work?

Those involved in contested divorces risk having their assets subjected to equitable distribution. Essentially, when your divorce enters the litigation process, you and your spouse will appear in court, where a judge or jury will decide the terms of your divorce. Unfortunately, the term “equitably” seldom means “equally,” so you must hire an experienced attorney who is ready to fight for your needs. Assets such as your car, marital bank accounts, or even your home may be up for grabs. Rather obviously, this is a frightening situation.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Our firm is here to help. Do not let your hard-earned assets go to waste. If you cannot reach an agreement through mediation, you can rest assured knowing you have a skilled firm fighting, on all cylinders, for your rights.

Contact our experienced Massachusetts firm

If you require compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance for a matter of divorce, family or estate law, please do not hesitate to contact the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley today. We recognize the impact a divorce can have on the lives of you or your children, which is why our firm proudly serves clients in Mansfield, Massachusetts and throughout Bristol County.