Divorce Lawyers in Danvers, MA

Serving Clients in Essex County, the North Shore, & Greater Boston

Divorce is often considered the second most stressful experience in life after the death of a loved one. Divorce can be similar to death in that it signifies the end of your most intimate and foundational relationship in life. It can disrupt shared goals, daily routines, and family structures. This can lead to a wide range of emotions, from anger to anxiety and grief. 

Additionally, transitioning into new roles, such as being a single parent or managing one’s new financial status alone, can amplify stress levels. This is often made more intense when navigating the legal system, which is complex and uncertain in terms of outcome.

At Broderick & Mastrapasqua, LLC, we understand the multifaceted nature of the emotional, financial, and legal aspects of the divorce process. Our team can provide legal support and an empathetic ear to help you through this challenging transition. With 20 years of combined experience resolving divorce and family law issues, our team has the knowledge, skills, and steadfast commitment you need at this difficult time. 

We offer a free initial consultation about your case. Call Broderick & Mastrapasqua, LLC at (978) 721-8861 or reach us online to make an appointment with a Danvers divorce attorney. 

Divorce in Massachusetts

Divorce is the legal process through which a marriage is dissolved, allowing both parties to separate and move forward independently. This often involves addressing critical issues such as the division of assets, child custody and support arrangements, and alimony (spousal support). 

At Broderick & Mastrapasqua, LLC, we believe understanding the complexities of divorce and its issues is essential to navigating this challenging transition with clarity and confidence.

Our team handles all types of divorce, from uncontested to highly contested. These can include: 

• High net worth/high asset divorce
• Same-sex divorce
• Business owner divorce
• Divorce involving relocation and removal to another state
• Divorce involving substance abuse
• Divorce involving a narcissistic spouse

Many issues can impact your divorce. Putting a team on your side that can help you navigate the issues and decisions you face can be invaluable and ease the process. 

Massachusetts Divorce Laws

Massachusetts follows a “no-fault” divorce system, meaning that a spouse is not required to prove the other’s wrongdoing. Instead, the filing spouse can cite an “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage” as the reason for seeking a divorce. 

Massachusetts offers a no-fault 1A and 1B process. The 1A filing requires you and your spouse to have a written agreement about marital asset and debt division, child custody, parenting time, child support, and alimony. This can make the process faster, less complicated, and less adversarial. 

The 1B no-fault process is for a divorce in which only one spouse asserts that the marriage has broken down or in cases where both spouses agree on the irretrievable breakdown but disagree on any relevant issues. This is a contested no-fault divorce, which takes longer.

The state also allows for “fault” divorces based on specific grounds such as adultery, abandonment, or extreme cruelty. These cases also take longer due to the need for courtroom intervention.  

Understanding your rights and obligations under Massachusetts divorce law is crucial, and our team is here to inform, advise, and guide you.

Eligibility for Divorce

To file for divorce in Massachusetts, you or your spouse must meet specific residency requirements. Generally, at least one spouse must have lived in Massachusetts for at least one year before filing. Our experienced attorneys will help assess your eligibility and help you through the legal steps to initiate the process.