KeepMyProof
Divorce prep · Massachusetts
Child custody and parenting plans in Massachusetts
Your child must have lived in Massachusetts for at least 6 months right before you file for custody. Parents who don't agree on custody or parenting time must take the four-hour online course 'Two Families Now' unless a judge waives it. To change an order, one reason you can give is that the current arrangement isn't serving the children's interests.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- Your child must have lived in Massachusetts for at least 6 months right before you file for custody. Mass.gov: Filing for child custody or parenting time. Checked November 2, 2026
- Parents who don't agree on custody or parenting time must take the four-hour online course 'Two Families Now' unless a judge waives it. Mass.gov: Filing for child custody or parenting time. Checked November 2, 2026
- To change an order, one reason you can give is that the current arrangement isn't serving the children's interests. Mass.gov: Request to change a custody or parenting time order. Checked November 2, 2026
Official links
- Mass.gov: Filing for child custody or parenting time
- Mass.gov: Request to change a custody or parenting time order
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
- Bank, retirement and debt statements
- Pay stubs and tax returns
- Household bills and expenses
- Home, car and property papers
- Agreements and court papers you have
- Messages sent to you
- Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
Coming soon to Google Play.
More for Massachusetts
- How child support works in Massachusetts
- How to get a copy of your divorce record in Massachusetts
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Massachusetts
- Divorce document checklist: the full guide
- Child custody and parenting plans: all states
Neighbouring states
- Child custody and parenting plans in Connecticut
- Child custody and parenting plans in New Hampshire
- Child custody and parenting plans in New York
- Child custody and parenting plans in Rhode Island
- Child custody and parenting plans in Vermont
Questions
Where do these Massachusetts facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: Mass.gov: Filing for child custody or parenting time; Mass.gov: Request to change a custody or parenting time order. We checked that each source still says it on November 2, 2026. Rules and forms change, so open the official link and read the current version before you rely on it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. KeepMyProof is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, ask a lawyer licensed in Massachusetts or your court's self-help center.
Which papers should I keep for divorce prep?
A good start: Bank, retirement and debt statements; Pay stubs and tax returns; Household bills and expenses; Home, car and property papers; Agreements and court papers you have; Messages sent to you; Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes. Keep only papers you are allowed to have, write the date on each note, and keep originals somewhere safe.
How can I keep these papers private on my phone?
KeepMyProof keeps copies of the papers you already have in folders with checklists, encrypted on your phone, with no account and no ads. It is free for the first items you save. It is coming soon to Google Play.
Educational only. Not legal advice.