Phone:   (978) 877-2536


E-Mail:   Korey@IPS-Notary.com

Fax:   (978) 882-0234
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~Process Server
Constable / Capias



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Massachusetts
Probate and Family Court Services

Page Links:
Service of Process        Subpoena Services        Notary Public Services        Divorce Info

Grounds for Divorce        Paralegal Support          Separation Agreement



IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The following information is provided to you as a public service and does not constitute
 legal advice. When you sign a legal document or file any documents with the court
it can seriously affect your future. You should always try to get legal advice before
signing any documents, filing any documents with the Court or appearing in Court.
We are not attorneys and cannot represent you. We can only (1) serve your paperwork;
 (2) notarize your paperwork; and (3) issue subpoenas for your pending case. We
 cannot give or accept fees for legal advice.



The Massachusetts Notary Public & Legal Support Network can assist you with the vital steps in your case being heard by a Massachusetts Probate & Family Court.  For instance, we can notarize your important court documents, serve all your Probate and Family Court paperwork, issue and serve all of your subpoenas, and offer paralegal support services that do not involve the practice of law.



SERVICE OF PROCESS
Service of Process
 
Our Professional Process Servers are authorized to serve all of your Probate and Family Court Process anywhere in Massachusetts. Our process servers are experienced in serving court process and perform services in full compliance with the Massachusetts Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure.

Our Professional Process Servers will serve all of your court documents, including, but not limited to, the following:


- Subpoena Duces Tecum           - Subpoena Ad Testificandum          - Deposition Subpoenas

- Probate Citations                        - Paternity                                                - Summons & Complaint

- Divorce Process                          - Adoption                                                - Child Support

- Modifications                               - Domestic Relations Summons       - All Notices

- All Pleadings                                - Capias Warrants                                   - All Probate Process

        - Complaint for Support - Custody - Visitation Pursuant to G.L. c. 209 C


For more information about our process server services, please click here.

 




SUBPOENA SERVICES
Court

Do you need a subpoena for your pending case that is being heard by a Massachusetts Probate and Family Court? If so, we can help you! Our Family Law Paralegal can type up your subpoena so that it will comply with Rule 45 of the Massachusetts Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure. Then, after it is drafted, one of our on-call notaries public will issue the subpoena and will arrange for the subpoena to be served by one of our certified process servers.


A subpoena may be issued to order a person to do any of the following:


                1.    appear at court to give testimony (subpoena ad testificandum);

                2.    appear before a notary public, justice of the peace, or other officer authorized to
                        administer oaths, at the taking of a deposition (deposition subpoena);

                3.    produce books, papers, documents, photos, or other tangible things that may be
                        used during a trial or hearing (subpoena duces tecum);

                4.    appear at a court or at a deposition AND produce books, papers, documents, or
                        other tangible things that may be used as evidence.
 

The average notary public will never be asked to issue a subpoena because it's a task that should be completed by a legal professional who is familiar with the court rules that detail how a subpoena shall be issued. If the format of a subpoena fails to comply with a court rule, the presiding judge may invalidate it.

Since our Network has degreed paralegals and licensed attorneys at our disposal, we can issue your subpoena so that it will comply with the applicable laws/rules. This Network considers our notaries public to be "legal notaries" and not just "bank notaries" because our notaries public also work as legal support professionals (i.e., paralegals) and have been trained in the law. (Notice: the two titles above are not official titles. They are used by our Network members only.)

If you need a subpoena issued, please click here and fill out our online form. We will promptly respond to your service request and will arrange for the subpoena to be drafted, issued and served.

Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena
issued and served upon him may be deemed a contempt of the court
in which the action is pending.

  
 
 

NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICES
Official Massachusetts Notary Public

Many Probate and Family Court documents need to be notarized by a Massachusetts Notary Public before they will be accepted by the court. Our notaries public comply with Executive Order 455 (04-04), which is entitled, "Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public".


A Massachusetts Notary Public is a public officer and servant appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of his legal council. As set forth in Article IV of the Articles of Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, a person commissioned as a notary public may perform notarial acts in any part of the Commonwealth for a term of seven years, unless the commission is earlier revoked or the notary resigns.

A Massachusetts Notary Public may perform the following duties on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

- Issue Subpoenas
- Issue Summonses
- Administer Oaths/Affirmations
- Take Acknowledgments
- Witness Signatures
- Take Affidavits (Jurat)
- Certify Copies of Documents, etc.

For more information about our Notary Public services, please click here.




DIVORCE INFORMATION
 
DivorceDivorce is the dissolution of the marriage relationship by the judgment of the Court. Actions for divorce should be filed in the division of the Probate and Family Court located in the county in which either party lives, expecting that the action must be filed in the county where the parties last lived together if one of the parties still resides in that county.

In Massachusetts, parties may file either a Joint Petition for Divorce or a Complaint for Divorce. The parties will file a Joint Petition for Divorce, commonly referred to as a "1A", if they agree to all issues pertaining to the divorce such as the division of marital property, child custody, and spousal support. A Complaint for Divorce will be filed if the parties do not agree to all issues.

The parties are co-petitions in a Joint Petition for Divorce, and plaintiff and defendant in a Complaint for Divorce.

Below you will find information regarding divorce. There are three types of divorces that are filed in a Massachusetts Probate and Family Court:

1.    Uncontested - 1A - This is filed with a "Petition" form - Both parties must sign this
         and other forms associated with this type of divorce proceeding. (See sample here)

2.    No-Fault - This is filed with a "Complaint for Divorce" form. Only one party needs to
        sign this Complaint for Divorce. The other party will be notified by a summons which
        will be served by a process server and will have an opportunity to answer the
        Complaint. (See sample Complaint here)

3.    Fault - This is filed with a "Complaint for Divorce" form.
Only one party needs to
        sign this Complaint for Divorce. The other party will be notified by a summons which
        will be served by a process server and will have an opportunity to answer the
        Complaint. (See sample Complaint here)

GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE IN MASSACHUSETTS

Divorce Decree & Gavel

When you file for divorce, you will need to choose a legal reason for the divorce which fits the facts of your situation. Legal reasons for divorce are called the "grounds for divorce".


There are two "no fault" grounds and seven "fault" grounds for divorce in Massachusetts. Most divorces are filed under "no fault" grounds.

What is a "no fault" divorce?

A "no fault" divorce is a divorce in which the marriage is broken beyond repair but neither party wants to blame the other. The legal term for a "no fault" divorce is an "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." There are two ways to file a divorce based upon an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. These are often referred to by the section of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208 in which they are found. They are as follows:

1A - Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage = In this type of divorce both parties participate in the filing of a document called a Joint Petition for Divorce. In order to file for this type of divorce, you must have reached an agreement as to all issues (for example, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, division of property and debts, health insurance coverage, etc.). This agreement is called a Separation Agreement. When you file the Joint Petition for Divorce, you file your Separation Agreement (which each party must sign before a separate notary public) and a document called an Affidavit of Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage. An "Affidavit of Irretrievable Breakdown" is a statement made under oath which states the reasons the marriage is irretrievably broken down and states whether or not there is any chance the parties will reconcile.

There are other documents required to be filed with the Joint Petition for Divorce. These documents will be provided to a party in his or her Joint Petition packet which is available in the Registry Office of the Probate and Family Court.

1B - Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage = In this type of divorce, one party files a document called a Complaint for Divorce claiming "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." This type of no fault divorce is used where the parties do not have an agreement. It may be used if the parties are unable to reach an agreement as to all issues (for example, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, division of property and debts and health insurance coverage, etc.) or if the other party does not agree that there is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. There is a six month waiting period before a final hearing on this type of divorce
can be held.

A Separation Agreement and Affidavit are not required at the time of filing the Complaint for Divorce and the party will be required to have a summons "served" (which means "delivered") on the other party by a process server.

There are other documents which must be filed with the Complaint for Divorce. These documents will be provided to a party in his or her Complaint for Divorce packet which is available at the Registry Office of the Probate and Family Court.

Divorce Court

What are the "fault" grounds for divorce?


There are seven "fault" grounds for divorce in Massachusetts. They are seldom used. They are as follows:

Cruel and abusive treatment = This is the most common "fault" ground for divorce in Massachusetts. In order to be divorced on this basis, a person needs to prove to the judge that his or her spouse did something which caused him or her harm. This ground for divorce is sometimes used in situations of domestic violence.

Utter desertion continued for one year = In order to be divorced on this basis, a person needs to prove to the judge that his or her spouse left home voluntarily, that the deserting spouse has no intention of returning home and that she or he has not lived with him or her for a least one year prior to the date the complaint for divorce was filed.

The following grounds are rarely used and may be complicated to
file and difficult to prove. You should obtain legal advice if you
are considering filing under any of these grounds.


Sentence of confinement in a penal institution =
In order to be divorced on this basis a person needs to prove that his or her spouse has been sentenced to prison for life or for five years or more. This ground is based upon the length of the sentence, not the actual time spent in prison.

Gross and confirmed habits of intoxication caused by voluntary and excessive use of intoxicating liquor, opium or other drugsIn order to be divorced on this basis a person needs to prove his or her spouse has voluntarily and excessively used drugs or alcohol in such a way that it has become a pattern.

Gross or wanton and cruel refusal or neglect to provide suitable support and maintenance for the other spouse =
In order to be divorced on this basis a person needs to prove that his or her spouse has refused or neglected to provide support or maintenance for him or her and that the spouse has the ability to provide said support.

Adultery = In order to be divorced on this basis a person needs to show that his or her spouse had sexual intercourse during the marriage with someone other than him or her. The person will have to prove that sexual intercourse occurred, which makes this a difficult ground on which to obtain a divorce.

Impotency =
This ground is rarely used. In order to be divorced on this basis a person needs to prove that his or her spouse is incapable of having sexual intercourse.


Deciding on a basis for a divorce can be very complicated. If you have questions about the grounds for divorce and what you need to prove, you should seek legal advice from an attorney.



PARALEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES
"Paralegal - The Real Power of Attorney"
Legal Computer

Part of our Network is known as Independent Paralegal Services, or "IPS" for short. Our paralegals are trained in the legal field and have experience in family law (domestic relations). We offer virtual (online) paralegal assistance, as well as in-person (face to face) paralegal assistance. We find, however, that it is better to have one of our paralegals assist you online because it will save you and the paralegal a lot of valuable time.

As defined by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), a Paralegal is a person, qualified through education, training or work experience, to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, government agency or entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work. Substantive shall mean work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.

Retaining an independent paralegal is profitable to law firms, furthers public policy and provides quality legal services to the general public at a fair rate. Please note, however, that if you decide to use an independent paralegal, you must remember that we ARE NOT attorneys licensed to practice law and cannot give or accept fees for legal advice.

Our paralegals have been trained in family law and are willing to assist you with your paperwork. Specifically, our paralegals will offer you the following services:

* Document Preparation                            * Court Filing
* Typing Services                                          * Court Records Search
* Offer Needed Forms                                  * Draft Subpoenas
* Legal Research                                            * Advise You of Court Rules

If you would like to purchase all the forms needed to file for your divorce, we can send them to you via mail or email. For example, if you and your husband want to file a joint petition for divorce, you can contact us and request that we send you all the necessary forms that you can fill out at home without having to go to court. And, when they're filled out, we can (1) provide you with a notary public who will meet you at your home to notarize your signatures on the documents that need to be notarized; and (2) file your paperwork with the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Department. All you would have to do is appear in court on the hearing date!!

The packet of forms will include the following:
 
  • Complaint for Divorce (either "1A", "IB" or complaint);
  • R-408 Certificate of Absolute Divorce or Annulment;
  • Affidavit of Care and Custody (if minor child[ren] involved);
  • Affidavit of Irretrievable Breakdown;
  • Financial Statements (Long or Short);
  • Separation Agreement (for "1A Divorce")
And all other forms required to be filed



PRICE FOR FORMS:

  • Uncontested, Joint Divorce ("1A") = $350*
  • Contested Divorce ("1B") = $250

*Includes the required Separation Agreement.






MASSACHUSETTS SEPARATION AGREEMENT

MA Separation Agreement Divorce

A Separation Agreement is a contract designed to settle all outstanding marital issues, drafted after marriage in anticipation of divorce. It defines the legal end of the couple's relationship as spouses and determines their post-divorce rights and obligations. Before any couple is granted a non-adversarial (uncontested), no-fault divorce in Massachusetts, their signed, notarized, Separation Agreement must be submitted to a probate and family court for approval.

Separation Agreements are recognized by statute - the same statute that created the Massachusetts non-adversarial (uncontested), no-fault divorce (M.G.L. c. 208 § 1A). A judge must find every Separation Agreement to be "fair and reasonable) before any divorce can be allowed.

Parties to divorce sign Separation Agreements before they are submitted to a court for approval. From the time it is signed until it is "heard" in court, a Separation Agreement is an enforceable contract. When a judge finds a Separation Agreement to be "fair and reasonable" at the hearing of the parties' divorce, the agreement rises to the level of a court order.

After a Separation Agreement has been found to be "fair and reasonable" in court it continues as an enforceable contract AND as a court order. If a judge determines a Separation Agreement is NOT "fair and reasonable" the Separation Agreement will be rendered null and void, and no longer exist as an enforceable contract.

Separation Agreements are required, by law, to cover the following topics:

1.) Alimony
2.) Health Insurance
3.) Division of Marital Property
4.) Care and Custody of Minor Children
5.) Division of Real Estate, etc.


We can provide you with a Separation Agreement that can be easily filled in. This Separation Agreement complies with Massachusetts law and covers every topic. The prices are as follows:

Separation Agreement w/No Minor Children  =  $150.00

Separation Agreement w/Minor Child(ren)  = $195.00



Please contact us via email if you're interested in purchasing a Separation Agreement. Once your payment is received and/or confirmed, we will email you the form in PDF or Word format. 



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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: A Notary Public and/or a paralegal is not an attorney licensed to practice law and cannot give or accept fees for legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney. --- Notaries Public cannot offer advice concerning a document and/or transaction unless he or she is an attorney licensed to practice law or is trained in that particular field or industry.

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