Massachusetts Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Massachusetts family law attorneys who can navigate Massachusetts’s all-property equitable distribution and the Alimony Reform Act.

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Free Massachusetts family law case review

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How we match your Massachusetts family law case

When you submit a Massachusetts family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Massachusetts law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Massachusetts who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a family law claim in Massachusetts

Day 0
You decide to act.
Separation, custody, support or a modification. Gather financials, the children’s schedules and any agreements or orders that already exist.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Massachusetts family law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Filing and disclosures.
The petition is filed and both sides exchange financial disclosures. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested early in Massachusetts.
Months 1–6
Negotiation or mediation.
Most cases settle here — parenting plans, division of property, support. Your attorney negotiates from the disclosures, not from guesses.
If it doesn’t settle
Hearing or trial.
Contested issues go before a judge. Preparation matters more than argument; your attorney builds the file for it from day one.
Resolution
Final order.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Residency Requirement: 1 year
1 year if cause arose elsewhere; resident if cause arose in MA (M.G.L. ch. 208 § 5)
Property Division System: All-property equitable
All-property equitable distribution under § 34 — court can assign separate property (M.G.L. ch. 208 § 34)
Custody Standard: Best interests
Best interests under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 31; presumption of shared legal custody pending hearing
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares-based
Income Shares-based — Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines (Trial Court Standing Order)
Spousal Support Framework: Four types
Four types under the Alimony Reform Act 2011 (M.G.L. ch. 208 §§ 48-55) — general term, rehabilitative, reimbursement, transitional; duration capped by marriage length
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Massachusetts allows no-fault divorce on irretrievable breakdown under M.G.L. ch. 208 §§ 1A (joint petition / uncontested) and 1B (contested no-fault). Residency is 1 year in Massachusetts if the cause occurred outside; if the cause occurred in Massachusetts and the parties lived together in the Commonwealth, residency at the time of filing suffices (M.G.L. ch. 208 § 5). Massachusetts is one of the strongest all-property equitable distribution states — the court can assign all property (including premarital, gifted, and inherited) to either spouse under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 34. The Alimony Reform Act of 2011 (M.G.L. ch. 208 §§ 48-55) overhauled alimony with duration caps and four categories. Custody is decided under best-interests factors at M.G.L. ch. 208 § 31.

Exhibit B

When to call a family law attorney in Massachusetts

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Family Law cases we take in Massachusetts

Which one is closest to yours?

Uncontested 1A divorce

Joint petition under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 1A — requires written separation agreement covering all issues. Faster than 1B path.

Sound like yours? A Massachusetts attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

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Exhibit D

How much do Massachusetts family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Massachusetts · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Massachusetts are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Massachusetts are not handled on contingency. Massachusetts Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Massachusetts family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 38.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Massachusetts family law compensation can include

A Massachusetts family law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Property Division

All-property equitable distribution under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 34 — court can reassign separate, premarital, inherited, and gifted property.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Massachusetts family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Massachusetts attorney will review it for free.

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Uncontested 1A divorces in Massachusetts typically finalize 90–120 days after filing (the joint petition includes a 30-day nisi period after judgment before it’s absolute). Contested 1B divorces generally take 12–24 months. Massachusetts has a 90-day waiting period from the entry of judgment (nisi) before the divorce is absolute.

Yes. Massachusetts has two no-fault paths: M.G.L. ch. 208 § 1A (joint petition for irretrievable breakdown, requires written separation agreement) and § 1B (contested irretrievable breakdown, requires a 6-month waiting period). Massachusetts also retains 7 fault grounds.

For § 1A (joint), no pre-filing separation, but the judgment is nisi (provisional) for 120 days before becoming absolute. For § 1B (contested), the action cannot be heard until 6 months after filing. There is no requirement to live apart before filing.

Massachusetts is one of the strongest all-property equitable distribution states. Under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 34, the court can assign to either spouse ALL property — including premarital, inherited, and gifted property. The court considers 12 mandatory factors (length of marriage, conduct, age, health, station, occupation, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities, opportunity for future acquisition, and needs) plus 4 discretionary factors.

Massachusetts applies a best-interests standard under M.G.L. ch. 208 § 31. There is a presumption of shared legal custody at temporary orders, but no presumption for shared physical custody. Courts consider parents’ ability to communicate, history of domestic violence, and the child’s preference (if mature).

Massachusetts uses an Income Shares-based formula under the Child Support Guidelines (Trial Court Standing Order, updated periodically). Both parents’ gross incomes are applied to the schedule. Parenting time, childcare, and healthcare adjustments apply.

Yes. Custody can be modified on a material change in circumstances. Child support requires a 20%+ change in the guideline amount. Alimony modification under the Alimony Reform Act depends on the type — general term ends at retirement and the duration limit. Property division is final.

Family Law attorneys by city in Massachusetts

Same Massachusetts rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.

Other case types in Massachusetts

All Massachusetts practice areas →

Animal Incident attorneysMassachusetts holds dog owners strictly liable — the owner pays for an unprovoked bite even if it’s the dog’s first offense.

Business Dispute attorneysMA’s 2018 non-compete reform added 10-day notice, "garden leave" pay, and 12-month limits — non-competes are no longer easy to enforce.

Car Accident attorneysMA is a no-fault auto state with a $2,000 medical-bill threshold — you can sue for pain and suffering only if your reasonable medical expenses exceed that amount.

Consumer Protection attorneysChapter 93A, Massachusetts’ consumer protection law, is one of the country’s strongest — willful violations get doubled or tripled damages plus attorney fees, and a 30-day demand letter is required first.

Criminal Defense attorneysMA’s 2018 criminal justice reform ended mandatory minimums for many drug offenses and adjusted parole eligibility — counsel knows what changed.

Defective Product attorneysMA treats breach of warranty as the primary products-liability theory — strict liability as such isn’t recognized, but warranty law provides parallel protection.

Employment attorneysThe state discrimination commission (MCAD) handles Massachusetts employment-discrimination charges — and the 300-day filing window plus right-to-sue letter framework parallels federal practice.

Immigration attorneysMA has immigration court in Boston — and a 2022 state law allows undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses.

Lemon Law attorneysThe MA Lemon Law covers new and used vehicles within 1 year/15,000 miles — and the manufacturer pays your attorney fees if you win.

Medical Malpractice attorneysMA med-mal requires a Medical Tribunal screening before your case proceeds — and there’s a $500K cap on non-economic damages, with exceptions for substantial impairment.

Personal Injury attorneysA three-year filing deadline and a 51% fault bar frame every MA injury case — no-fault auto adds its own threshold rules.

Slip and Fall attorneysMA premises liability changed course in 2010 — landowners now have a duty to address snow and ice hazards, natural or not.

Social Security Disability attorneysMA disability hearing offices in Boston, Lawrence, and Worcester process moderate volumes — and First Circuit federal precedent is comparatively favorable on review.

Workers’ Compensation attorneysMA workers’ comp runs through the Department of Industrial Accidents — and temporary total benefits are 60% of your average weekly wage up to a state maximum.

Massachusetts Family Law Attorneys

How we match your Massachusetts family law case

Case type

Size and complexity

Jurisdiction and licensing

Capacity and fit

What happens with a family law claim in Massachusetts

You decide to act.

Tell us what happened.

Filing and disclosures.

Negotiation or mediation.

Hearing or trial.

Final order.

When to call a family law attorney in Massachusetts

Family Law cases we take in Massachusetts

Uncontested 1A divorce

Contested 1B divorce

Child custody (legal and physical)

Child support and modification

Alimony

Premarital and postnuptial agreements

Paternity actions

Adoption

Grandparent visitation rights

209A Abuse Prevention Orders

Harassment Prevention Orders

Military divorce

How much do Massachusetts family law attorneys cost?

What your Massachusetts family law compensation can include

Property Division

Alimony

Child Support

Custody and Parenting Time

Attorney’s Fees

Protective Orders

Massachusetts family law questions, answered

Family Law attorneys by city in Massachusetts

Other case types in Massachusetts

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