how to find a divorce lawyer in massachusetts

^{How to Find a Good Lawyer for Divorce in Massachusetts}

1. Do Your Research. One of the first things you should do is research potential lawyers. ...
2. Examine the Attorney’s Qualifications. Not all lawyers are equal! When choosing an attorney, know what you’re looking for and what it means.
3. Check the Firm’s Available Resources. Our firm believes in working as a team. This is why we believe hiring a lawyer with multiple resources is so important.
4. Ask the Right Questions. When you find a lawyer you are considering hiring, you should make sure you ask questions that help you get the immediate answers you need.
5. Find an Attorney Who You Trust. Your attorney is going to have a significant impact on how your case proceeds. ...

Full Answer

How do I file for a divorce in Massachusetts?

Search for a lawyer by name, location, or specialty To locate an attorney by name or city, go to Mass. Board of Bar Overseers, and enter your information in the Look Up an Attorney section. Attorneys from other states Martindale-Hubbell is the country's most well-known legal directory. Here you can search their database of over one million lawyers.

When to hire a divorce lawyer in Massachusetts?

Virtual Consultation. Attorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability. …

Where can I find a list of lawyers in Massachusetts?

Newton, MA Divorce Lawyer with 25 years of experience (617) 875-2842 93 Union Street Suite 406 Newton, MA 02459 Free Consultation Divorce, Arbitration & Mediation and Family Cornell University, Osgoode Hall Law School and Harvard Law School Show Preview View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer Julia Rueschemeyer

How do I find a good divorce lawyer in my area?

Use Super Lawyers to hire a local divorce attorney to assist with your case. Looking For A Top Attorney In Massachusetts? Super Lawyers directory is an index of attorneys who exhibit excellence in the practice of law. You can browse attorney listings covering everything from personal injury to family law to business litigation. When you come across individuals who …

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Massachusetts?

On average, Massachusetts divorce lawyers charge between $250 and $305 per hour. Average total costs for Massachusetts divorce lawyers are $10,600 to $12,800 but are typically significantly lower in cases with no contested issues.

What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer in Massachusetts?

Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000.

What is the average cost of divorce in MA?

Divorce Filing Fees and Typical Attorney Fees by StateStateAverage Filing FeesOther Divorce Costs and Attorney FeesLouisiana$150 to $250Average fees: $10,000Maine$120Average fees: $8,000+Maryland$165Average fees: $11,000Massachusetts$200Average fees: $12,000+48 more rows•Jul 21, 2020

Who pays for the divorce lawyer in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts divorce, each party pays his or her own legal fees and expenses. This is consistent with the so-called “American Rule”, which provides that parties pay their own legal fees in Massachusetts court cases. See Wong v. Luu, 472 Mass.

Does it matter who files for divorce in Massachusetts?

Filing first for divorce does not matter in Massachusetts. The first person to file will choose the grounds for divorce or whether to file a no fault divorce.

How are assets divided in a divorce in Massachusetts?

Is massachusetts a 50 50 state for divorce? Massachusetts requires “equitable division” of marital property in divorce. In many cases, that results in a 50/50 split of the assets.

How long does a divorce take in MA?

An uncontested divorce will finalize within 90 to 120 days. If there is a separation agreement involved, the timeline is closer to the 120 days. There are simplified divorce procedures for people who are in complete agreement and they may apply to you.

Who pays attorney fees in divorce?

The decision about who pays divorce attorney fees is made by the family law judge on a case-by-case basis. In some divorce cases, each party pays their own attorneys. In other cases, one spouse will be ordered to pay all or part of their ex's attorney fees.

What is the fastest way to get a divorce in Massachusetts?

Uncontested divorces involve the filing of a joint complaint as well as a complete separation agreement and are by far the quickest way to obtain a divorce. A contested case involves one party filing for divorce and serving the other party with the complaint.

Who is liable for divorce costs?

Who pays the costs in court proceedings? Despite prevailing opinion, it really does matter who initiates divorce proceedings. If you are the one who is being divorced (the “respondent”), the Court might order you to pay the legal fees of both sides.

Do you need a lawyer to get a divorce in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, you are not required to use an attorney when you get a divorce. However, before you decide to obtain a divorce without an attorney, there are important factors you need to consider.

What are the divorce laws in Massachusetts?

Types of Divorce in Massachusetts When you file for divorce in Massachusetts, you'll need to state a "ground" or reason for your divorce. Massachusetts allows both "fault" and "no-fault" divorce grounds. In a no-fault divorce, you don't have to blame your spouse for your divorce.

1. Do Your Research

One of the first things you should do is research potential lawyers. There is a wide range of legal organizations that regularly recognize attorneys for their legal accomplishments, as well as their skills and experience. You can check their websites in order to learn more about an attorney you may be considering.

4. Ask the Right Questions

When you find a lawyer you are considering hiring, you should make sure you ask questions that help you get the immediate answers you need. Ask if they have experience handling cases similar to yours.

5. Find an Attorney Who You Trust

Your attorney is going to have a significant impact on how your case proceeds. You need to know that you can trust this person to keep your best interests as a top priority. Having a strong client-attorney relationship built on trust can give you peace of mind.

Narrow results by city

Attorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.

Massachusetts divorce and separation attorneys

A divorce lawyer helps you if you no longer want to be married. Whether you want a legal separation or the marriage ended, divorce lawyers assist you to arrange financial and family matters, typically in a negotiation with your spouse's lawyer.

What does Anthony do in divorce mediation?

As a Divorce Mediator, Anthony uses his experience and training to help you and your spouse identify primary interests, then resolve issues around the primary interests.

Where is Attorney Black?

Attorney Black concentrates her practice in the areas of divorce & family law in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Attorney Black...

Who is Attorney Weberg?

Attorney Weberg has nearly a decade of experience as a zealous, no-stone-unturned advocate for people facing the toughest legal challenges. She provides detail-oriented, holistic counsel with a compassionate approach. Attorney Weberg has represented clients in thousands of matters and has tried both felony and misdemeanor cases before juries, including felony sexual assaults and serious bodily injury cases. She has experience handling all manner of charges, including homicide. As a trial lawyer, Attorney Weberg has extensively litigated a variety of legal issues, including eyewitness identification, coerced confessions, repressed memories, and search and seizure. While practicing in New Hampshire, Attorney Weberg provided...

Where is Attorney Beauregard located?

Practice: Upon graduation from law school and having passed the Massachusetts Bar Examination in 1995, Attorney Beauregard joined the law firm of Palma Law Offices, P.C., in Lowell, Massachusetts. Attorney Beauregard opened his own practice in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2006, whose main office is located at 25 Central Street in Lowell, MA 01852. Since 2006, the firm has grown to meet the increased demand for experienced and ethical legal representation, with offices in Nashua, NH, North Andover, MA and Boston, MA. Attorney Beauregard is licensed to practice in all Massachusetts state courts, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and the United States Federal Court...

Is Marlene a lawyer?

Thoughtful and thorough, Marlene has honed her professional acumen and her client-centric style by succeeding in some of the most impressive educational and professional environments. Marlene is a licensed attorney in the United States and Canada and, in addition to her J.D., earned her J.S.D. (equivalent to a PhD in Law) from Cornell Law School. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the impact of divorce on parents and their children and on what to do with the family home upon divorce.

What is a divorce attorney?

A divorce attorney assists clients looking for an annulment, legal separation, or divorce.

Where do divorce attorneys file a complaint?

Divorce attorneys file a summons and complaint in the appropriate court.

What is attorney profile?

Attorney profiles include biographical information, education and training, and contact information to help you decide which lawyer to hire. We even show you where to find their firm web sites and personal biographies.

Notices & Alerts

If you have decided to end your marriage, you may choose to file for divorce. You can file for divorce in Massachusetts if you have lived in the state for one year, or if the reason the marriage ended happened in Massachusetts and you have lived in Massachusetts as a couple.

What would you like to do?

Get a copy of your divorce record (divorce decree) Which type of divorce should I file?

Six Tips for Finding the Right Divorce Lawyer

Selecting the right divorce law firm may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your life, if you have the unfortunate circumstance of going through a divorce. This guide is intended to provide in-depth instructions for locating, interviewing, and ultimately hiring the right divorce lawyer for your case.

Top 6 Tips for Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer

These six pointers are applicable to anyone looking to hire a divorce and family law attorney in Massachusetts:

How to find out if a lawyer is a divorce lawyer?

Find out by checking with agencies such as the Better Business Bureau which lawyers have had complaints registered against them or their practice. Use the ABA, the American Bar Association, to identify a list of lawyers and their specialties who practice in your area. Most counties will have a professional association of lawyers. In addition, often times, this group can tell you which lawyers specialize in divorce.

What to look for in a divorce lawyer?

Key points to look for when searching for a good divorce lawyer-. 1. Understand your lawyer’s role. The goal of using a lawyer to help in your divorce process is to move the dissolution of your marriage forward in a fair and equitable manner. The main points of discussion when meeting with a lawyer should focus on money, ...

Can a lawyer work with my spouse's lawyer?

Ask your lawyer if they can work fairly with the other lawyer, or if there is anything that would prevent your lawyer from working with your spouse’s lawyer. You need to know this before engaging your lawyer, not after, so you don’t waste time and money on someone who ultimately cannot reach a settlement with the other party. Remember too, that if your lawyer is being paid hourly, you’re best off with a lawyer who can work well with other parties and who doesn’t waste your time and money due to poor interpersonal skills.

How to find a good family law lawyer?

Check out their credentials. You can evaluate your lawyer’s professional expertise and appropriateness for your unique situation by checking their credentials. Be sure to look online to establish their credibility. Which law school did they graduate from? You may want to find out where they did their undergraduate work also because that might give you some insight into their legal style. Are they members in any professional organizations? Have they published articles, books, or been involved in law-making in the field of family law? Do they teach at any of the local universities or law schools? Do they do any pro bono (free) work in areas that you admire or feel a connection to? You might want to know which states they are entitled to practice in if they have passed the bar exam in multiple states.

What percentage of the practice is devoted to family law?

If they don’t specialize in family law exclusively, find out what percentage of the practice is devoted to family law; it should be at least 50% of their caseload. Depending on your financial situation, you may want to seek a lawyer who also has expertise in finance and property laws. It is important to get a good “fit”. You should feel comfortable with your choice of lawyer.

Why is it important to meet with several lawyers?

You want to get a sense of different approaches so it is important to meet with several lawyers in order to decide on one who would be the right lawyer for your unique situation. Often times, you can get a sense of what a lawyer is like from your first phone call to their practice.

What is the marriage.com course?

If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.