The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for hierarchically disassembling messages. The functionality of disassemblers and framers is decoupled such that framers for different types of messages can be utilized at the same level in a hierarchy without having to also change disassemblers. Virtually any level of disassembly is possible to address any corresponding level of message nesting. Disassembly can be performed on a per message or per session basis.