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.
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.
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in MA, call directly at 508-532-2255 or 413-505-5111 or text C2T to 741741.
Depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case, you can usually expect to pay a retainer fee of between $3000 and $5000.
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.
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.
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation funds organizations that help people resolve civil legal issues. If you need help with a criminal matter, contact the Committee for Public Counsel Services at 617-482-6212.
To qualify for a public defender, a person must have an income that is no more than 25% above the poverty line, based on the number of people in the household.
for the public goodThe term "pro bono," which is short for pro bono publico, is a Latin term that means "for the public good." Although the term is used in different contexts to mean “the offering of free services,” it has a very specific meaning to those in the legal profession.
For example, if you have an “uncontested” divorce (under Chapter 208, Section 1A), the cost of your divorce will be somewhere between $220 (the approximately filing fee cost, assuming you don't have attorneys) and $5,000. Typically, our firm can complete a relatively simple “1A” divorce between $3,500 and $5,000.
fourteen monthsIn Massachusetts, the Probate and Family Court official time-standard for contested divorces is fourteen months (under Standing Order 1-06) — that is, the divorce process, from filing to entry of a judgment, should take no more than fourteen months.
The average Massachusetts court divorce costs $15,900. Mediation lets you avoid a prolonged, expensive battle, reducing your cost greatly. But most divorce mediators charge by the time spent, at rates of $200 to $400 per hour.