4 Things You Need to Know About Getting Divorced in Andover

Coming to the point that you believe that your marriage is broken and cannot be repaired is a very difficult thing to experience. If you are thinking about filing for divorce in Andover, here are four things that you need to know before you initiate the divorce process–

1. You Must Be a Resident and File Based on Grounds for Divorce

In order to file for divorce in Andover, you must have lived in the state for at least one year, or the cause for your divorce must have happened in Massachusetts and you and your spouse have lived in the state as a couple.

Assuming you meet the requirements above, you will need to determine which type of divorce to file and on which grounds. You can file a contested or uncontested divorce, or file on fault or no-fault grounds. Most divorces that are filed are “no-fault,” which means that you are claiming that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If the divorce is contested, this means that you and your spouse are not in agreement about how certain issues in your divorce will be resolved, such as property division or child custody.

2. Divorce Is Expensive

Filing for divorce is expensive, and is a cost that you should be prepared to undertake. In fact, just the filing fee for a divorce complaint is $220.00. In addition to your filing fee, you will also encounter many other fees and expenses as you navigate the process, such as fees for hiring experts to help build your case, court fees, and attorneys’ fees.

3. Your Divorce Doesn’t Have to Go to Court

Television and movies make it appear as though all divorce cases are huge legal battles that always result in long, emotional, drawn-out court trials. However, this is not the case; your divorce does not have to go to court, and a judge does not have to make decisions about important issues in your divorce. In fact, you and your spouse are encouraged to work through issues and reach an agreement on your own, either via negotiation, mediation, or collaborative process. You only have to go to court if you cannot reach out out-of-court divorce settlement.

4. Working with an Attorney Is Advised

Even divorces that are no-fault and uncontested can benefit from the review of a legal professional. Indeed, an experienced Andover divorce attorney can review all documents in your divorce case, and ensure that a settlement is in your best interests and that any important elements haven’t been overlooked. In the event that your divorce is contested, an attorney can guide you through your options for reaching an accord with your spouse, and can even represent you in a courtroom before a judge if necessary

Contact Our Andover Divorce Lawyer Today

If you are thinking about filing for a divorce, contact our Andover divorce lawyer at The Law Offices of Attorney Michael F. Mimno first. Our attorney will explain Massachusetts divorce law to you, and provide you with competent and experienced representation.

To schedule a consultation with Attorney Michael F. Mimno today, please call (978) 470-4567. You can also send us a message using the form found on our website