Uncontested Divorce Lawyers in Salem, MA

Representation for Clients on the North Shore & Greater Boston Area

If you and your spouse agree that your marriage has ended, and you've been able to agree on how to divide your property, handle support, and, if applicable, share custody of your children, you may be able to pursue an uncontested divorce. 

Known in Massachusetts as a "1A" divorce, this process is typically faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than a fully contested case, but it still requires careful, accurate legal work to complete correctly.

Koiles Pratt Family Law Group has represented clients statewide from our Salem and Boston office locations in resolving uncontested divorces since 2004; our firm is devoted exclusively to divorce and family law.

Request a case evaluation with a Salem uncontested divorce attorney by contacting us online or at (978) 744-7774. Meetings can be conducted virtually for your convenience. 

Our Uncontested Divorce Representation in Massachusetts

Even when spouses agree on the big issues, the details matter. Our attorneys help you negotiate and draft a complete separation agreement covering property division, alimony, child support, and custody, one that can hold up to court review and actually reflect what you and your spouse agree to. 

We prepare and file the required court documents, help you avoid the paperwork errors that commonly delay or derail uncontested filings, and represent you at your court hearing so you know exactly what to expect.

If something unexpected comes up during the process, a disagreement that wasn't fully resolved, or a term that needs revisiting, we're there to help you work through it without losing the benefits of an uncontested filing.

What an Uncontested Divorce in Massachusetts Involves

To qualify for a 1A joint-petition divorce in Massachusetts, both spouses must agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and reach complete agreement on every issue in their divorce. That includes property and debt division, alimony, and all child-related matters. 

From there, the process generally follows these steps:

• Signing a separation agreement. Both spouses sign a written agreement covering every term of the divorce.
• Filing a joint petition. Both spouses file the joint petition and separation agreement together with the Probate and Family Court.
• Attending a brief hearing. Both spouses appear before a judge, typically within one to two months of filing. The judge reviews the agreement and your financial statements, asks a few questions to confirm that both parties understand and accept the terms, and confirms that the agreement is fair and adequately provides for any children.
• Waiting out the nisi period. If the judge approves your agreement, a Judgment of Divorce is entered 30 days after the hearing. Massachusetts law then requires an additional 90-day waiting period (the nisi period) before the judgment becomes final and absolute. This is a mandatory period that cannot be shortened or waived. In total, most uncontested divorces become final about 120 days after the court hearing.

Although you remain legally married throughout the nisi period, courts generally expect both spouses to begin following the terms of the separation agreement immediately, including support payments, parenting schedules, and property transfers.

Unlike some states, Massachusetts doesn't offer a separate "summary divorce" process reserved for short marriages, couples without children, or those with minimal assets. 

The 1A joint petition is the fastest and most streamlined path available under Massachusetts law, and it's open to any couple who reaches full agreement, regardless of how long they were married or how much property is involved.

Why You Need a Lawyer in an Uncontested Divorce

Agreeing with your spouse doesn't automatically protect your interests. A separation agreement is a binding legal document, and once a judge approves it, it's difficult to change. 

Overlooked assets, unclear language, or a support arrangement that looks fair today but doesn't hold up over time can create real problems years down the road. 

Having an experienced Massachusetts divorce attorney review or help negotiate your agreement before you sign it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself, even in the friendliest of divorces.

Call Us Today

Our attorneys share 175+ years of combined experience resolving family law issues. Whether your case is straightforward or becomes more complicated than expected, you can work with an attorney at our firm who takes the time to confirm that your agreement protects you after the process is complete.

Call (978) 744-7774 or reach out online to consult a Salem uncontested divorce lawyer today.