{"id":2914,"date":"2024-01-01T18:40:20","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T18:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/?p=2914"},"modified":"2024-04-30T22:38:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T22:38:01","slug":"is-ma-a-50-50-divorce-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/is-ma-a-50-50-divorce-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Is MA a 50 50 Divorce State?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2914\" class=\"elementor elementor-2914\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-789a9c0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"789a9c0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79f4156 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79f4156\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Massachusetts is not a 50\/50 divorce state. Instead, it is an equitable distribution state, meaning property is divided equitably, which is considered fair and reasonable under the circumstances, rather than automatically split 50\/50.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-016786a elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"016786a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/nN2zbsxvxM0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fad4683 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fad4683\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='navigating-divorce-in-massachusetts'  id=\"boomdevs_1\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Navigating Divorce in Massachusetts <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3e04b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a3e04b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Imagine you&#8217;re sharing a pie. You want to make sure everyone gets the right amount, not just an equal slice. That&#8217;s how Massachusetts handles divorce. Instead of cutting everything down the middle, the law looks at who needs what and tries to share things out in a way that&#8217;s fair. Sometimes, one person might get a bit more; other times, it\u2019s the other way around. This guide is here to help you understand how the &#8216;fair share&#8217; is figured out during a divorce, from who keeps the family car to how your savings are split.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc82ab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cc82ab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='equitable-distribution-fair-not-equal'  id=\"boomdevs_2\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Equitable Distribution \u2013 <br>Fair, Not Equal <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ca226c elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"3ca226c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/r4xJH-NSRj8?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e11591b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e11591b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='understanding-massachusetts-approach'  id=\"boomdevs_3\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Massachusetts' Approach<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f8f3bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9f8f3bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Massachusetts, &#8216;equitable distribution&#8217; is the golden rule when you&#8217;re ending a marriage. This means the court looks at everything you and your spouse own together \u2013 from the family car to the money in your retirement accounts \u2013 and decides how to divide it in a way that&#8217;s fair, considering what each person contributed and what they will need for the future. It&#8217;s important to remember that &#8216;equitable&#8217; doesn&#8217;t mean equal. So one person might end up with the family home, while the other might get more from the bank accounts or stock options, all in an effort to balance things out.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff89964 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff89964\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-decides-what-s-fair'  id=\"boomdevs_4\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Decides What\u2019s Fair?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b93aa96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b93aa96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Several factors come into play to decide what&#8217;s fair. The court will look at how long you were married, what each of you brought into the marriage (like a house or savings), and how much each of you earned. They also think about who took care of the children or managed the household, which could be the case with a stay-at-home mom or dad. The court\u2019s job is to ensure that when the marriage ends, both people can live independently without too much financial trouble. This can be complex, and that&#8217;s where legal advice comes in handy to navigate these waters.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe09249 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe09249\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='marital-property-vs-separate-property'  id=\"boomdevs_5\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Marital Property vs. <br>Separate Property <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11efd9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"11efd9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/_gw2eE-zvPw?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-074e6fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"074e6fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-s-shared-and-what-s-not'  id=\"boomdevs_6\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What\u2019s Shared and What\u2019s Not<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e497f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e497f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Let&#8217;s break down what &#8216;marital property&#8217; really means. Think of it as everything you&#8217;ve piled up in the &#8216;we&#8217; basket since you got married. It&#8217;s the house you live in, the cars you drive, the money you save or invest, and even the debts you owe. All these things are on the table when you divorce, and they need to be divided fairly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3fef6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f3fef6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='claiming-your-own'  id=\"boomdevs_7\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Claiming Your Own<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc82345 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dc82345\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>On the other side, there&#8217;s &#8216;separate property.&#8217; These are the things that belong just to you or just to your spouse. Maybe it&#8217;s a family heirloom, a gift from a friend, or something you owned before you got married. These usually stay with the person who owns them. But sometimes, if your separate property has gotten mixed up with your marital property \u2013 like if you inherited some money and then put it into a shared account \u2013 it might be treated as marital property. This is one of the many reasons why keeping good financial records is a good idea during marriage, especially if you find yourself in a divorce process. In any case, the judge can split up your separate property as well as your marital property.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c535721 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c535721\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='the-role-of-massachusetts-courts'  id=\"boomdevs_8\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Role of <br>Massachusetts Courts <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f61f89f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f61f89f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='how-judges-decide'  id=\"boomdevs_9\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Judges Decide<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-313379a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"313379a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Probate and Family court judges are like the referees in this game of division. They don&#8217;t just flip a coin; they look at every angle of your life together. They consider the length of your marriage, your lifestyle, and even the effort you put into building your life together, whether it was earning a paycheck or taking care of the home and family.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c801619 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c801619\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='the-judge-s-toolbox'  id=\"boomdevs_10\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Judge's Toolbox<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d4ead4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d4ead4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Massachusetts law gives judges a toolbox full of factors to consider during divorce proceedings. This includes things like:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b4d31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"65b4d31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>the age and health of each spouse,<\/li><li>the income and potential future earnings, and<\/li><li>the needs of any minor children.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebf62e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ebf62e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Judges also have to think about less tangible things, like the impact of domestic violence or a spouse&#8217;s contribution to the other&#8217;s education. These are all pieces of the puzzle that help the judge figure out how to split things up. The judge&#8217;s goal is to make sure that when the divorce is final, the division of property is as fair as it can be, allowing both people to start their new lives on as solid ground as possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b43fe92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b43fe92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='affordable-massachusetts-divorce-solutions'  id=\"boomdevs_11\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Affordable Massachusetts Divorce Solutions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53de41d elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"53de41d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/_XXDtuUCOQs?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d9106d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d9106d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/affordable-divorce-lawyer-massachusetts\/\"   title=\"affordable divorce\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">affordable divorce<\/a> is possible. At Afford Law, our fees are based on your income, so the less you earn, the less you pay. Our mission is to provide experienced legal help you can afford.<\/p><p>If you can&#8217;t afford our lower rates for a traditional attorney-client relationship, you have another option. Our legal coaching service can save you money and still give you access to a skilled attorney. In this arrangement, you represent yourself in court while we work with you behind the scenes to prepare you every step of the way. This service is available to you for one low monthly fee.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb90bea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb90bea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='the-big-pieces-of-the-pie-homes-and-retirement-accounts'  id=\"boomdevs_12\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Big Pieces of the Pie:<br> Homes and Retirement Accounts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a161993 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"a161993\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/zN9XzF5kjvk?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83a8e55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"83a8e55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='dividing-major-assets'  id=\"boomdevs_13\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> Dividing Major Assets<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-353c74a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"353c74a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When you split up in Massachusetts, some things are worth more attention \u2013 like your house and any money saved for when you retire. These are often the biggest pieces of your shared pie. The family home isn&#8217;t just a building; it&#8217;s where memories are made, and deciding who gets to live there can be tough. The court might decide that one person can buy the other out, or it may need to be sold so the money can be shared.<\/p><p>Retirement accounts, like your 401(k)s or pension plans, are also a big deal. They&#8217;re not just about the money saved; it&#8217;s also about the future they represent. The court may split these accounts, or one person might keep their retirement savings while the other gets different assets of equal value.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49ada7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"49ada7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='thinking-about-tomorrow'  id=\"boomdevs_14\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Thinking About Tomorrow<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d424c24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d424c24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The trick with retirement funds is figuring out their true worth, which isn&#8217;t always as simple as looking at a statement. Sometimes you need a financial expert to understand the present value and future benefits. The court&#8217;s goal is to make sure both people have security for their later years, even if the marriage ends now.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3286872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3286872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='length-of-marriage-and-its-impact'  id=\"boomdevs_15\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Length of Marriage and <br>Its Impact<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ceb64bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ceb64bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='when-time-influences-decisions'  id=\"boomdevs_16\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> When Time Influences Decisions<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6067a8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6067a8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In divorce, time matters. How long you&#8217;ve been married can change how the court sees your shared stuff. A short marriage might mean you each take away more of what you brought into it. But a long marriage? That&#8217;s different. The court sees your lives as more mixed together, like paint colors that can&#8217;t be separated again. They&#8217;ll consider the effort put into building a life together over the years, from growing your savings to raising a family.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ce0d3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ce0d3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='long-term-marriage-considerations'  id=\"boomdevs_17\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Long-Term Marriage Considerations<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c4305d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c4305d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For those who&#8217;ve been in a long-term marriage, the court takes extra care. They understand that both people may have made sacrifices that aren&#8217;t just about money, like giving up a job to take care of the family. These sacrifices matter when it&#8217;s time to divide everything. The goal is to make sure no one is left at a big disadvantage when starting their new life alone.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79d33e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"79d33e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='when-you-ve-planned-ahead-prenuptial-agreements'  id=\"boomdevs_18\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When You've Planned Ahead: <br>Prenuptial Agreements <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d832d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8d832d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='pre-marriage-contracts'  id=\"boomdevs_19\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pre-Marriage Contracts<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3efc944 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3efc944\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some couples plan ahead with a prenuptial agreement. Think of it as setting the rules for a game before you start playing. This agreement says who gets what if the marriage ends, and it can include things like:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1551645 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1551645\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>the family house,<\/li><li>stock options, or<\/li><li>future earnings from a business.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e10dd56 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e10dd56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Massachusetts, the court will respect these agreements as long as they were fair when you made them and still fair when you divorce.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83c8fa3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"83c8fa3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='the-power-of-the-prenup'  id=\"boomdevs_20\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Power of the Prenup<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a01e978 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a01e978\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A good prenuptial agreement can make the divorce process simpler. But it has to be done right. It can&#8217;t be unfair to one person, and both people need to have shared all their financial info before signing. If you&#8217;ve got a prenup, it&#8217;s a good idea to have a lawyer look at it early in the divorce process to see how it will affect the division of property.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c150f6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c150f6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='understanding-the-divorce-process'  id=\"boomdevs_21\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding the <br>Divorce Process <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7b21b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c7b21b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='steps-to-untangling-your-lives'  id=\"boomdevs_22\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Steps to Untangling Your Lives<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dd366f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0dd366f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Going through a divorce is like putting together a huge puzzle, but you&#8217;re not sure where all the pieces fit just yet. It starts with one person asking for a divorce, and then both sharing lots of information about what they own and owe \u2013 that&#8217;s the financial statement. This part is super important because it lays out for the court what needs to be divided. Then, there might be discussions or even arguments about who gets what, sometimes with lawyers involved to help each person speak up for themselves. If you can&#8217;t agree, the court steps in and decides for you based on Massachusetts law and the details of your life together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94be20c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94be20c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='the-final-steps'  id=\"boomdevs_23\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Final Steps<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1754ccd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1754ccd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>After all the sorting and deciding, you get a divorce decree \u2013 that\u2019s the final decision that says who gets what. It includes everything from the family home and cars to retirement plans and even who takes care of the kids. This decree is like the final instruction sheet for how you&#8217;ll each move on with your separate lives, making sure it&#8217;s done fairly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d327a5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d327a5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='putting-kids-first-child-custody-and-support'  id=\"boomdevs_24\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Putting Kids First: <br>Child Custody and Support <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4251f48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4251f48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='caring-for-the-young-ones'  id=\"boomdevs_25\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Caring for the Young Ones<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42dcaf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42dcaf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When kids are part of a divorce, they&#8217;re the top priority. Massachusetts courts focus on what&#8217;s best for them. Child custody is all about who the kids will live with and how they will spend time with each parent. Child support payments are about making sure the kids have what they need, like:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9add70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a9add70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>food,<\/li><li>clothes, and<\/li><li>a place to live.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2eb10af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2eb10af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The court looks at what each parent earns and what the kids need to decide on a fair amount for child support.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5895ac2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5895ac2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='more-than-just-money'  id=\"boomdevs_26\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More Than Just Money<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c340e90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c340e90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>But it&#8217;s not just about the money. It\u2019s also about creating a stable and loving environment for the kids after the divorce. The court will think about who&#8217;s been taking care of the kids and how to keep things as normal as possible for them. They might decide on joint custody, where kids live with both parents at different times, or sole custody, where they live with just one parent most of the time. The goal is always to keep the kids&#8217; lives positive and secure, no matter how the adults\u2019 relationships change.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2d9cf4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c2d9cf4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='moving-on-after-the-divorce-decree'  id=\"boomdevs_27\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Moving On: <br>After the Divorce Decree <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71f4fa4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"71f4fa4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='life-after-divorce'  id=\"boomdevs_28\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Life After Divorce<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9590f9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9590f9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once the divorce is final, and you have the decree in hand, it&#8217;s about moving forward. For many, this can feel like a fresh start. It&#8217;s time to split the assets as decided, from the bank accounts to personal property like furniture or jewelry. If you got the family home, you might need to figure out the mortgage; if you&#8217;re moving out, you might be looking for a new place to call home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00c2799 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"00c2799\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='adjusting-to-the-new-normal'  id=\"boomdevs_29\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Adjusting to the New Normal<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7817c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7817c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Adjusting to life after divorce can be challenging, but remember, it&#8217;s also a chance to build something new for yourself. You might need to budget differently now or plan for your retirement on your own. Some find they need a little help from family or friends during this time, and that&#8217;s okay. It&#8217;s a time for healing, for growing, and for finding your own way. And remember, the terms of your divorce aren\u2019t just suggestions \u2013 they&#8217;re legal decisions that need to be followed, like a rulebook for your new life stage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6cbfb4 elementor-align-center elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"d6cbfb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call Today For Your<br> Free Case Evaluation<br>508-453-1250<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e16cb5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e16cb5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Legal Disclaimer<\/strong><\/p><p>This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and receive tailored guidance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Massachusetts is not a 50\/50 divorce state. Instead, it is an equitable distribution state, meaning property is divided equitably, which is considered fair and reasonable under the circumstances, rather than automatically split 50\/50. Navigating Divorce in Massachusetts Imagine you&#8217;re sharing a pie. You want to make sure everyone gets the right amount, not just an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-divorce"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is MA a 50 50 Divorce State?\u00a0 - Afford Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Embarking on a divorce in Massachusetts? 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