Family Law Forms and Resources

Child Support Guidelines for Massachusetts

For a copy of the Guidelines, click here.
For an on-line Guidelines calculator, click here.

Alimony and division of marital property

For a copy of the Massachusetts statute, click here.

Custody of children 

For a copy of the Massachusetts statute, click here.

Separation/Divorce Agreement checklist:

Click here for a Separation/Divorce Agreement Checklist of issues that need to be addressed (or at least considered) in marital separation and divorce. (This document has been adapted from a checklist prepared by the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation.)

Divorce mediation

Click here for a Divorce Mediation Primer that answers basic questions about the process of mediation, such as "why mediate?" and "what will it cost?"

Health Insurance During and After Divorce

For a copy of the Massachusetts statutes that protect divorcing spouses click here and click here.

The Office of Attorney General Tom Reilly and Health Law Advocates have created a 28-page pamphlet Staying Healthy: A Guide to Keeping Health Insurance After Divorce, November 2002.  Click here for a printable version of the pamphlet.

Reading Lists:

Books for Children About Divorce

Books for Parents About Divorce and Co-Parenting

Books About Making Marriages Last

Rosters

Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation

Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council

Association for Conflict Resolution – New England Chapter

Massachusetts Association of Guardians

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Parent Education Programs

All divorcing parents of minor children are required to take this five-hour course – click here for information.

The Massachusetts Legal and Mental Health communities have collaborated to create Planning for Shared Parenting: A Guide for Parents Living Apart.  Click here for a printable version of the 23-page pamphlet.

Court Forms

The forms needed for filing for divorce in Massachusetts.

Financial Statement and Expense List

When filing for divorce parties are required to file a financial statment.  There are two forms; the Long Form and Short Form.  If you earn more than $75,000, then use the Long Form.  If you earn less, then use the Short Form.

As part of the required Financial Statement form for divorce filings, the parties are required to list their expenses (as well as income, assets, and liabilities). The Court form, however, does not provide adequate space for such a list for most people, and so we have devised our own (with some help from a list that appeared in the ABA's "Family Advocate" magazine) – click here for an Excel version.

Disclaimer - please note: The purpose of providing these forms and other materials is not to provide legal advice. Please consult with counsel – either at BLC or other counsel – about these forms to see whether they are appropriate for your particular circumstances.