After Separating For A Long Time, Are We Automatically Divorced?

I’m asked this question a lot.  I suppose there are other jurisdiction and other countries where if two married people have been separated for a long period of time, their marriage is automatically dissolved and they’re considered divorce.  Here in Massachusetts, there’s no such thing.

Once you are married, you are considered married until you officially file and granted a divorce.  Here in Massachusetts, there’s not even such a thing called “legal separation”.  You can choose to live apart from your spouse, but you’re still married.

If you want to get a divorce, hire a lawyer and get it done officially.