Family Law Attorneys in Taunton, MA

Taunton families going through divorce, custody, or child support disputes generally file in Bristol County. A Massachusetts-licensed family law attorney will review your situation for free and explain the road ahead.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with a Massachusetts attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Taunton family law case review

A Massachusetts attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.

DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.

How we match your Taunton family law case

When you submit a Taunton 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.

Start my free case review 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.

Family Law cases in Taunton

More about legal help in Taunton →

Taunton is a county seat, and the Bristol County Probate and Family Court sits here, so residents of Taunton, Raynham, Berkley, and surrounding towns often handle divorce, custody, and support matters downtown rather than traveling to New Bedford or Fall River. Massachusetts handles divorce without requiring proof of fault, and child support follows statewide guidelines that account for both parents' income and parenting time. Custody schedules often turn on practical realities like commutes up Route 24 toward Boston. DearLegal matches you with a Massachusetts-licensed attorney who handles family law cases in Taunton, with a free review.

Divorce, custody, and support cases for Taunton residents are heard in the Bristol County Probate and Family Court, which has a Taunton location.
Massachusetts child support follows statewide guidelines based on both parents' income and the parenting schedule.
If one parent has moved to Rhode Island, that state's courts and rules may come into play alongside Massachusetts.

Massachusetts family law rules at a glance

Taunton cases run under Massachusetts law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Massachusetts page.

Read the full Massachusetts family law guide →

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

Exhibit D

How much do Taunton 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.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Taunton family law questions, answered

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

Start free review

Divorce, custody, and support matters go to the Probate and Family Court for Bristol County, which sits in Taunton. Filing is generally based on where the spouses live or last lived together. An attorney can confirm the right division and whether a contested or uncontested track fits your case.

Courts decide legal and physical custody based on the child's best interests, looking at each parent's involvement, stability, the child's routine, and any history of harm. Judges generally favor arrangements that keep both parents involved when it is safe. Practical factors like school location and work schedules carry real weight.

Massachusetts has residency requirements and sets timelines that vary by the type of filing, including steps between filing and a final judgment. Because those rules differ for uncontested and contested cases, do not assume a number. A Massachusetts attorney will confirm the timeline and any deadline that applies to you.

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.