Understanding all of the options for divorcing in Massachusetts is an important step when you’re thinking about starting the divorce process.

Deciding to pursue an uncontested divorce in Massachusetts or deciding whether you want a cooperative effort could significantly reduce both time and costs.

It is important to note that no specific type of divorce is better than another. The decision is extremely personal and unique to your situation.

Divorce is a complicated process, and as such you need to find out what kind of divorce process will work best for you. It should reflect the dynamics in your relationship with your spouse so that it can be resolved quickly and easily.

DIY Divorce

One popular approach to get a divorce is “Do It Yourself.” This means you avoid using any professionals to save costs. This one may seem straightforward but don’t be fooled— it comes with some serious drawbacks. Unless you are unmarried and childless, this approach is probably best avoided unless needed for cost-saving purposes.

Online Divorce

Online Divorce is a relatively new option. It is a better choice for most people than the DIY option. An online divorce platform can be a great option for situations where both spouses are on the same page and there is not much conflict in the process. You’ll use guided interviews to complete all of the forms, and get educated about all of the key legal issues involved. This will boil things down to an online choice between filing one-sided (and expensive) or collaborative divorce paperwork without worrying as much about high lawyer fees.

Litigated Divorce

The most costly and high-stress option available is litigation. In cases where a couple can’t come to an agreement, this is the default process. Although settlements happen more often than not, litigating a divorce is often harmful to your relationship with a spouse, your children, and your checkbook.

If your spouse has a high-conflict personality (narcissist, borderline, etc.) or there is domestic violence, litigation might be necessary. Litigation is also the favored choice of those trying to punish their partner. However, it’s important to think about the big picture before deciding what’s best for both of you in the long run.

Collaborative Divorce

Divorce is more than a legal process, it concerns money and children. That’s why collaborative divorce includes a team of lawyers, coaches, and financial specialists to handle these aspects. Collaborative divorce requires the parties to commit to staying out of court. The removal of the threat of litigation improves collaboration, creativity, and negotiation.

Mediation

Mediation uses neutral third-party professionals (typically attorneys or therapists (or someone who is both!)) who will work to create agreements between you and your spouse. Mediation offers an opportunity for you to brainstorm options, understand each other’s views, and make compromises with the mediator as a guide.

There are many factors that go into determining the cost of counseling services, including where you live and what type of treatment is needed. The average full-fee cost of a 50-minute therapy session in Boston can range anywhere from $150-200, but rates vary depending on your therapist’s experience or specific geographical location, as well as their specific qualifications and training. For example, couples counseling in Boston may be more expensive than relationship counseling in Natick or in Cambridge.

Marriage counseling is a great way to work through issues you may be experiencing. Whether it’s marriage problems or just figuring out how to make time for each other, couples therapy can help! But not all insurance plans cover this type of treatment so before doing anything else, call your insurance provider and find out if they’ll pay for some or all sessions with the counselor. Most insurance plans require a member of the couple to be diagnosed with a psychiatric “DSM” diagnosis.

If you are able to use your health insurance, you will either be responsible for co-payments or the entire cost depending on your insurance plan and whether you have a high deductible or not. Most counselors will allow you to pay for your session costs with Health Savings or Flexible Spending accounts. If you want to see a counselor who is not in-network with your insurance plan, you may be able to get the majority of the cost of each session reimbursed by your insurer. These are known as out-of-network benefits and you can call your insurer to find out if these benefits are included in your health plan.