How to Serve Divorce Papers Under Massachusetts State Law

By Dennis Masino

Family portrait with cracked glass and divorce papers

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Divorce is the termination of a marriage by court order. The person who wants a divorce starts a court action that ends with a state court judge signing a judgment ending the marriage. Massachusetts, like other states, has rules and procedures you must follow to obtain a divorce through its courts. The courts do not have the power to decide the case until after the complaint has been filed and the summons has been served.

File your divorce complaint with the court registry, or clerk's office, of the Probate and Family Court. The complaint form can be obtained from the court or online document providers. You may file your complaint in the county where either you or your spouse currently live. If your spouse still lives in the county where you both last lived together, you must file the complaint in that county.

Get the summons from the court clerk. You will receive a divorce summons, track assignment notice and a copy of the complaint after you file the original complaint with the court registry. If you file the complaint by mailing it, the documents will be mailed to you. If you personally deliver the complaint, the documents may be given to you immediately.

Ask your spouse to accept service of the summons. If your spouse is cooperative, you can avoid the fees associated with having the summons and other documents served. There is a place on the summons where your spouse signs to acknowledge receipt of the summons and complaint. This must be signed by your spouse in front of a notary public. If your spouse refuses to accept the documents, the papers must be served.

Give the summons and other documents to a sheriff or constable to serve on your spouse. Massachusetts law allows you to use any disinterested person to serve the summons, but the court recommends using the sheriff or constable. After the documents are served on your spouse, the original summons and an affidavit confirming service will be returned to you.

File the original summons and the affidavit of service with the registry. This filing shows you complied with the legal requirement that your spouse be served within 90 days from the date you filed the complaint.

Warnings

Divorce is a complex matter that can have serious legal consequences. Seek the assistance and guidance of an attorney experienced in divorce or family law issues if you are considering getting a divorce.

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