[jamesfmojim]

Someone told me that before a divorce in Massachusetts is granted the courts force you to go to marriage counsilling. Does anyone know about this?

[ScottGem]

Many states have that requirement. In some states its left up to the judge's discretion.

This site might help you more:

Divorce Support - Massachusetts Simplified Divorce Procedures

[Fr_Chuck]

The judge can do this, many marriages can be saved, but both parties will have to be willing to work at it.

And many who do not require counseling require mediation to try and work out divorce and property separation issues

[div2wice]

I do not see that in Massachusetts laws... This is what MA law states:

An action for divorce on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage may be instituted by filing:
(1) a petition signed by both spouses;
(2) a sworn affidavit that an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage exists;
(3) a notarized separation agreement signed by both spouses.

I do believe you'll need to be separated for a specific amount of time before the divorce will be finalized, I think it is 120 days. You can check on that to be sure...

[jamesfmojim]

Hmm going to be hard to get a petition signed by both of us when she took out a restraining order and I can't figure out how the judge could grant it he asked her if I had ever hit her or threatened to and she answered no I thought no contact was for pyhsical protection?