When a couple wants to get divorced, they must complete a few steps before anything can really get started. The couple must first fulfill the residency requirement and then cite grounds for divorce. Massachusetts is a no-fault state, meaning that the couple can simply state that the marriage was irretrievably broken for a period of time and they just don’t want to be married anymore. In Massachusetts, there are two possible types of irretrievable breakdowns that a couple can cite as their grounds for divorce. They are known as “1A” and “1B.”
What is a 1A divorce?
A 1A divorce is an uncontested no-fault divorce, in simple legal terms. What this really means is that both parties in the divorce come in already agreeing upon matters such as custody, alimony, the division of assets, and more.
What is a 1B divorce?
A 1B divorce is one in which the grounds for divorce (the irretrievable breakdown) is uncontested but some or all of the other factors are contested. The parties may not agree on matters such as how assets are divided, child custody and visitation, alimony, and more. For this reason, the divorce is contested until all of the matters have been resolved and an agreement has been made.
If you have questions about filing for divorce in Massachusetts, contact an experienced divorce attorney today.
If you require compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance for a matter of divorce or family law, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley today.
