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The decision to file for divorce is never easy. When the determination has been made, it’s essential to understand the process, which varies by state.

Contested issues are the most common causes for delays in finalizing a divorce. There is no doubt that by the time a couple has endured the journey of recognizing it is time to end a marriage they are hoping for a legal process that is not excruciatingly lengthy.

Most most people think in terms of custody and visitation, when they think of their children. However, the courts are moving away from such terminology because custody denotes possession and control and that is not appropriate when discussing children.

Prenuptial agreements might have a bad reputation from tabloid accounts of celebrity divorces, but these important legal arrangements are for more than the rich and famous. Nor are prenuptial agreements a statement that a couple plans to divorce or otherwise wants an exit strategy.

Going through a divorce is never an exciting time. Most often it comes with much heartache or filled with bitterness. One of the hardest topics of a divorce is the issue of alimony and spousal support in Family Law.

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. It is a contentious issue, sometimes even more so than child custody or asset division.

Many families elect to have Group Insurance coverage under a single spouse provided by their employer. This means one spouse is the primary policyholder of a medical insurance plan, and the rest of the family is covered under that one plan.

One of the most complex and important issues in any divorce is the division of property. While some divorcing spouses are able to come to an agreement on this issue outside of court, in many cases a judge must step in and direct an equitable distribution of assets.

Considerable time and effort goes into negotiating the average divorce. Many are surprised that sometimes, months, or even years, afterwards, they discover that it still isn’t quite right.

No one expects to need a divorce, so understandably many people are unfamiliar with the aspects of Massachusetts family law they will have to navigate once divorce proceedings begin. Here are three things you should know about divorce law in MA.