Massachusetts Divorce and Dissolution Resources
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A Massachusetts divorce is filed in the Probate and Family Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
Massachusetts's core family statutes live in the Massachusetts General Laws Part II, Title III - Domestic Relations. In Massachusetts, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official Massachusetts divorce resources
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Massachusetts family law forms (official index) (Massachusetts judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Massachusetts family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mass.gov/lists/probate-and-family-court-forms-for-divorce
Massachusetts court self-help resources (Massachusetts courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Massachusetts family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mass.gov/topics/family-law
eFileMA (Tyler Technologies): eFileMA is live in every Probate and Family Court division, 24 hours a day. E-filing is required for attorneys but optional for people without a lawyer, so you can always paper file instead. https://www.efilema.com/
Massachusetts official filing information (Massachusetts judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Massachusetts and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/efiling-in-the-probate-and-family-court
Massachusetts financial affidavit and disclosure forms (mass.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Massachusetts family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/financial-statement-forms-probate-and-family-court
Massachusetts mediation and dispute resolution (Massachusetts judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Massachusetts family case without a trial. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/find-a-mediator
Verified official Massachusetts divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Acao De Divorcio Conforme a § 1b Do C 208 Do Codigo Geral Complaint for Divorce Form CJD 101b (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/acao-de-divorcio-conforme-a-ss-1b-do-c-208-do-codigo-geral-complaint-for-divorce-form-cjd-101b/download
Answer to Complaint for Divorce CJD 201 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-answer-to-complaint-for-divorce-cjd-201/download
Complaint for Divorce (G.L. c. 208 s. 1B) (CJD 101B), form CJD 101B (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-complaint-for-divorce-under-gl-c-208-ss-1b-cjd-101b/download
Complaint for Divorce CJD 101 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-complaint-for-divorce-cjd-101/download
Complaint for Divorce under G.L. C 208 § 1b for Efiling (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-complaint-for-divorce-under-gl-c-208-ss-1b-for-efiling/download
Counterclaim for Divorce CJD 202 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-counterclaim-for-divorce-cjd-202/download
Demanda De Divorcio Conforme a La Lg C 208 § 1b Complaint for Divorce under G.L. C 208 § 1b CJD 101b (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/demanda-de-divorcio-conforme-a-la-lg-c-208-ss-1b-complaint-for-divorce-under-gl-c-208-ss-1b-cjd-101b/download
Divorce or Annulment, Certification Vital Statistics (R-408) (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/divorce-or-annulment-certification-vital-statistics-r-408/download
Joint Petition for Divorce Form Pursuant to G.L. C 208 § 1a CJD 101a (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-joint-petition-for-divorce-form-pursuant-to-gl-c-208-ss-1a-cjd-101a/download
Sample Separation Agreement (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/sample-separation-agreement/download
Official link data for Massachusetts was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in Massachusetts?
In the Probate and Family Court that serves the county where you live. In Massachusetts, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Massachusetts?
Divorce filing fee: ~$200-$215. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a Massachusetts divorce?
No. Massachusetts publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.