Legal Services Costs in Massachusetts
Verified cost ranges across cities in Massachusetts
Legal Services Cost Comparison — Massachusetts
Compare verified cost ranges across cities in Massachusetts
Cost Comparison — Contested Divorce
Low
$1,280
Typical
$3,230
High
$5,180
Low
$1,386
Typical
$3,497
High
$5,608
Low
$1,230
Typical
$3,103
High
$4,976
Low
$1,312
Typical
$3,311
High
$5,311
Low
$1,259
Typical
$3,177
High
$5,095
Low
$1,217
Typical
$3,072
High
$4,927
Cost Comparison — Child Custody Agreement
Low
$2,280
Typical
$4,230
High
$6,180
Low
$2,469
Typical
$4,580
High
$6,691
Low
$2,190
Typical
$4,063
High
$5,937
Low
$2,337
Typical
$4,337
High
$6,336
Low
$2,242
Typical
$4,160
High
$6,078
Low
$2,169
Typical
$4,023
High
$5,878
Cost Comparison — Child Support Order
Low
$920
Typical
$2,870
High
$4,820
Low
$996
Typical
$3,107
High
$5,219
Low
$884
Typical
$2,757
High
$4,630
Low
$943
Typical
$2,942
High
$4,941
Low
$905
Typical
$2,823
High
$4,740
Low
$875
Typical
$2,730
High
$4,584
Cost Comparison — Landlord-Tenant Dispute
Low
$337
Typical
$3,949
High
$7,560
Low
$365
Typical
$4,275
High
$8,185
Low
$324
Typical
$3,793
High
$7,262
Low
$345
Typical
$4,048
High
$7,751
Low
$331
Typical
$3,883
High
$7,435
Low
$321
Typical
$3,755
High
$7,190
Cost Comparison — Simple Will Drafting
Low
$337
Typical
$100,793
High
$201,248
Low
$365
Typical
$109,128
High
$217,891
Low
$324
Typical
$96,821
High
$193,319
Low
$345
Typical
$103,332
High
$206,319
Low
$331
Typical
$99,129
High
$197,927
Low
$321
Typical
$95,864
High
$191,407
Cost Comparison — Revocable Living Trust
Low
$380
Typical
$28,814
High
$57,248
Low
$411
Typical
$31,197
High
$61,982
Low
$365
Typical
$27,678
High
$54,992
Low
$389
Typical
$29,540
High
$58,691
Low
$373
Typical
$28,338
High
$56,303
Low
$361
Typical
$27,405
High
$54,449
Cost Comparison — Probate Filing
Low
$25,312
Typical
$25,780
High
$26,248
Low
$27,405
Typical
$27,912
High
$28,419
Low
$24,315
Typical
$24,764
High
$25,214
Low
$25,950
Typical
$26,430
High
$26,909
Low
$24,894
Typical
$25,355
High
$25,815
Low
$24,074
Typical
$24,519
High
$24,964
Cost Comparison — Green Card Application
Low
$1,624
Typical
$2,872
High
$4,120
Low
$1,758
Typical
$3,110
High
$4,461
Low
$1,560
Typical
$2,759
High
$3,958
Low
$1,665
Typical
$2,944
High
$4,224
Low
$1,597
Typical
$2,825
High
$4,052
Low
$1,545
Typical
$2,732
High
$3,919
Cost Comparison — Citizenship & Naturalization
Low
$1,624
Typical
$2,872
High
$4,120
Low
$1,758
Typical
$3,110
High
$4,461
Low
$1,560
Typical
$2,759
High
$3,958
Low
$1,665
Typical
$2,944
High
$4,224
Low
$1,597
Typical
$2,825
High
$4,052
Low
$1,545
Typical
$2,732
High
$3,919
Cost Comparison — Prenuptial Agreement
Low
$805
Typical
$15,243
High
$29,680
Low
$872
Typical
$16,503
High
$32,135
Low
$773
Typical
$14,642
High
$28,511
Low
$825
Typical
$15,627
High
$30,428
Low
$792
Typical
$14,991
High
$29,190
Low
$766
Typical
$14,497
High
$28,229
Cost Comparison — DUI/DWI Defense
Low
$718
Typical
$2,044
High
$3,370
Low
$777
Typical
$2,213
High
$3,649
Low
$690
Typical
$1,963
High
$3,237
Low
$736
Typical
$2,096
High
$3,455
Low
$706
Typical
$2,010
High
$3,314
Low
$683
Typical
$1,944
High
$3,205
Cost Comparison — Misdemeanor Defense
Low
$718
Typical
$2,044
High
$3,370
Low
$777
Typical
$2,213
High
$3,649
Low
$690
Typical
$1,963
High
$3,237
Low
$736
Typical
$2,096
High
$3,455
Low
$706
Typical
$2,010
High
$3,314
Low
$683
Typical
$1,944
High
$3,205
Cost Comparison — Felony Defense
Low
$718
Typical
$2,044
High
$3,370
Low
$777
Typical
$2,213
High
$3,649
Low
$690
Typical
$1,963
High
$3,237
Low
$736
Typical
$2,096
High
$3,455
Low
$706
Typical
$2,010
High
$3,314
Low
$683
Typical
$1,944
High
$3,205
Cost Comparison — Criminal Record Expungement
Low
$668
Typical
$1,994
High
$3,320
Low
$723
Typical
$2,159
High
$3,595
Low
$642
Typical
$1,915
High
$3,189
Low
$685
Typical
$2,044
High
$3,404
Low
$657
Typical
$1,961
High
$3,265
Low
$635
Typical
$1,896
High
$3,158
Cost Comparison — Deportation Defense
Low
$1,624
Typical
$2,872
High
$4,120
Low
$1,758
Typical
$3,110
High
$4,461
Low
$1,560
Typical
$2,759
High
$3,958
Low
$1,665
Typical
$2,944
High
$4,224
Low
$1,597
Typical
$2,825
High
$4,052
Low
$1,545
Typical
$2,732
High
$3,919
Cost Comparison — Asylum Application
Low
$1,624
Typical
$2,872
High
$4,120
Low
$1,758
Typical
$3,110
High
$4,461
Low
$1,560
Typical
$2,759
High
$3,958
Low
$1,665
Typical
$2,944
High
$4,224
Low
$1,597
Typical
$2,825
High
$4,052
Low
$1,545
Typical
$2,732
High
$3,919
Cost Comparison — Estate Administration
Low
$712
Typical
$1,180
High
$1,648
Low
$771
Typical
$1,278
High
$1,784
Low
$684
Typical
$1,134
High
$1,583
Low
$730
Typical
$1,210
High
$1,690
Low
$700
Typical
$1,161
High
$1,621
Low
$677
Typical
$1,122
High
$1,567
Cost Comparison — Work Visa Application
Low
$1,624
Typical
$2,872
High
$4,120
Low
$1,758
Typical
$3,110
High
$4,461
Low
$1,560
Typical
$2,759
High
$3,958
Low
$1,665
Typical
$2,944
High
$4,224
Low
$1,597
Typical
$2,825
High
$4,052
Low
$1,545
Typical
$2,732
High
$3,919
Browse Legal Services Costs by City in Massachusetts
Select a city to see local pricing adjusted for cost of living.
All Legal Services Services
legal-services
Contested Divorce
Legal representation in a divorce where spouses disagree on one or more issues requiring court intervention or negotiation. Billed hourly with costs escalating based on number of disputed issues, discovery, depositions, and trial time required.
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Child Custody Agreement
Drafting and filing of a formal parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority. Can be completed as a standalone agreement or as part of divorce proceedings.
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Child Support Order
Legal process to establish, modify, or enforce a court order for child financial support. Calculation is based on state-specific guidelines factoring in parental income, custody time, and child expenses. Attorney fees vary by whether the matter is contested.
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Prenuptial Agreement
Drafting of a legally binding prenuptial agreement defining each spouse's property rights and financial obligations in the event of divorce or death. Each party should have independent legal counsel for enforceability. Complexity and assets involved drive cost.
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DUI/DWI Defense
Legal defense for driving under the influence charges including DMV hearing representation, motion to suppress evidence, negotiation for reduced charges, and trial defense if necessary. First offense vs. repeat offense and BAC level significantly affect strategy and cost.
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Misdemeanor Defense
Legal representation for misdemeanor criminal charges including disorderly conduct, petty theft, simple assault, or minor drug possession. Many cases are resolved through plea negotiations or diversion programs. Flat fees are common for straightforward misdemeanors.
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Felony Defense
Legal representation for serious felony charges including drug offenses, assault, theft, fraud, or violent crimes. Requires extensive investigation, discovery review, expert witnesses, and potentially jury trial. Hourly billing with substantial retainers is standard.
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Criminal Record Expungement
Legal process to have an eligible criminal conviction or arrest record sealed or expunged from public view. Eligibility requirements vary by state based on offense type, sentence completed, and time elapsed. Improves employment, housing, and licensing opportunities.
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Landlord-Tenant Dispute
Legal assistance for landlords or tenants in disputes over lease violations, security deposit disputes, habitability issues, illegal lockouts, or eviction proceedings. Local housing laws vary significantly, making local counsel important.
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Simple Will Drafting
Preparation of a basic last will and testament naming beneficiaries, executor, and guardian for minor children. A simple will is appropriate for straightforward estates. Must be properly executed with witnesses and notarization per state law to be valid.
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Revocable Living Trust
Drafting of a revocable living trust to hold assets during the grantor's lifetime and transfer them to beneficiaries outside of probate. Includes pour-over will and asset retitling guidance. Significantly reduces estate settlement time and costs for heirs.
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Probate Filing
Legal assistance initiating probate proceedings to validate a deceased person's will and authorize the executor to administer the estate. Includes court filings, creditor notification, and asset inventory. Probate timelines and costs vary by state.
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Estate Administration
Full legal representation of an executor or administrator through the entire estate settlement process including probate, asset marshaling, debt payment, tax filings, and distribution to beneficiaries. Typically billed as a percentage of estate value or hourly.
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Green Card Application
Legal assistance with permanent residency application through family sponsorship, employment, asylum, or diversity lottery. Includes I-485 adjustment of status or consular processing, supporting documents, and USCIS interview preparation. Multi-year timeline is common.
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Citizenship & Naturalization
Legal assistance with the N-400 naturalization application for eligible permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. Includes eligibility assessment, form preparation, biometrics, civics test preparation, and USCIS interview coaching.
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Work Visa Application
Legal assistance obtaining temporary work authorization including H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, or E-3 visas. Requires employer sponsorship for most categories. Annual H-1B cap and lottery add complexity and cost. Attorney fees cover petition drafting and USCIS filing.
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Deportation Defense
Legal representation in immigration court removal proceedings including bond hearings, cancellation of removal applications, asylum claims, and appeals. One of the most complex immigration matters due to high stakes and procedural complexity.
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Asylum Application
Legal assistance with affirmative or defensive asylum applications for individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership. Strong personal statement and corroborating evidence are critical to approval.