Residency Requirement: You can file for divorce in Massachusetts if you’ve lived in the state for at least one year, or if the reason for the divorce occurred in Massachusetts and you lived there as a couple.

No-Fault Option: The state allows “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage” as a no-fault ground, meaning you don’t need to prove wrongdoing to divorce.

Waiting Period: After a divorce is granted, there’s a 90-day “nisi” period (120 days for uncontested cases switched from contested) before it’s final, allowing time to reconsider.

Low Divorce Rate: Massachusetts has one of the lowest divorce rates in the U.S., around 9.1% of residents aged 15+ being divorced, per recent estimates.

Equitable Distribution: Property is divided “equitably” (fairly), not necessarily equally, based on factors like marriage length and each spouse’s contributions.

Uncontested Speed: An uncontested divorce (1A) can finalize in as little as 6 months if both spouses agree on all terms.

Contested Timeline: Contested divorces (1B) typically take 12–18 months, though complex cases can stretch longer.

Filing Fee: The basic cost to file a divorce complaint is $200, plus a $15 surcharge in some counties, though waivers are available for low-income filers.