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
$2,378
Typical
$5,969
High
$9,560
Low
$2,574
Typical
$6,462
High
$10,351
Low
$2,284
Typical
$5,734
High
$9,183
Low
$2,437
Typical
$6,119
High
$9,801
Low
$2,338
Typical
$5,870
High
$9,402
Low
$2,261
Typical
$5,677
High
$9,093
Cost Comparison — Child Custody Agreement
Low
$3,060
Typical
$5,900
High
$8,740
Low
$3,313
Typical
$6,388
High
$9,463
Low
$2,939
Typical
$5,668
High
$8,396
Low
$3,137
Typical
$6,049
High
$8,960
Low
$3,010
Typical
$5,803
High
$8,596
Low
$2,910
Typical
$5,611
High
$8,313
Cost Comparison — Child Support Order
Low
$736
Typical
$1,374
High
$2,013
Low
$797
Typical
$1,488
High
$2,179
Low
$707
Typical
$1,320
High
$1,933
Low
$755
Typical
$1,409
High
$2,063
Low
$724
Typical
$1,352
High
$1,979
Low
$700
Typical
$1,307
High
$1,914
Cost Comparison — Landlord-Tenant Dispute
Low
$493
Typical
$1,308
High
$2,122
Low
$534
Typical
$1,416
High
$2,297
Low
$474
Typical
$1,256
High
$2,038
Low
$505
Typical
$1,340
High
$2,175
Low
$485
Typical
$1,286
High
$2,087
Low
$469
Typical
$1,244
High
$2,018
Cost Comparison — Simple Will Drafting
Low
$347
Typical
$664
High
$980
Low
$376
Typical
$718
High
$1,061
Low
$333
Typical
$637
High
$941
Low
$356
Typical
$680
High
$1,005
Low
$341
Typical
$653
High
$964
Low
$330
Typical
$631
High
$932
Cost Comparison — Revocable Living Trust
Low
$1,230
Typical
$2,160
High
$3,090
Low
$1,332
Typical
$2,339
High
$3,346
Low
$1,182
Typical
$2,075
High
$2,968
Low
$1,261
Typical
$2,214
High
$3,168
Low
$1,210
Typical
$2,124
High
$3,039
Low
$1,170
Typical
$2,054
High
$2,939
Cost Comparison — Probate Filing
Low
$1,936
Typical
$4,668
High
$7,400
Low
$2,096
Typical
$5,054
High
$8,012
Low
$1,860
Typical
$4,484
High
$7,108
Low
$1,985
Typical
$4,786
High
$7,586
Low
$1,904
Typical
$4,591
High
$7,278
Low
$1,841
Typical
$4,440
High
$7,038
Cost Comparison — Green Card Application
Low
$1,610
Typical
$2,830
High
$4,050
Low
$1,743
Typical
$3,064
High
$4,385
Low
$1,547
Typical
$2,719
High
$3,890
Low
$1,651
Typical
$2,901
High
$4,152
Low
$1,583
Typical
$2,783
High
$3,983
Low
$1,531
Typical
$2,692
High
$3,852
Cost Comparison — Citizenship & Naturalization
Low
$830
Typical
$1,426
High
$2,022
Low
$899
Typical
$1,544
High
$2,189
Low
$797
Typical
$1,370
High
$1,942
Low
$851
Typical
$1,462
High
$2,073
Low
$816
Typical
$1,402
High
$1,989
Low
$789
Typical
$1,356
High
$1,923
Cost Comparison — Prenuptial Agreement
Low
$905
Typical
$2,225
High
$3,545
Low
$980
Typical
$2,409
High
$3,838
Low
$869
Typical
$2,137
High
$3,405
Low
$928
Typical
$2,281
High
$3,634
Low
$890
Typical
$2,188
High
$3,487
Low
$861
Typical
$2,116
High
$3,372
Cost Comparison — DUI/DWI Defense
Low
$830
Typical
$2,440
High
$4,050
Low
$899
Typical
$2,642
High
$4,385
Low
$797
Typical
$2,344
High
$3,890
Low
$851
Typical
$2,501
High
$4,152
Low
$816
Typical
$2,400
High
$3,983
Low
$789
Typical
$2,321
High
$3,852
Cost Comparison — Misdemeanor Defense
Low
$2,030
Typical
$9,215
High
$16,400
Low
$2,198
Typical
$9,977
High
$17,756
Low
$1,950
Typical
$8,852
High
$15,754
Low
$2,081
Typical
$9,447
High
$16,813
Low
$1,997
Typical
$9,063
High
$16,129
Low
$1,931
Typical
$8,764
High
$15,598
Cost Comparison — Felony Defense
Low
$5,930
Typical
$17,015
High
$28,100
Low
$6,420
Typical
$18,422
High
$30,424
Low
$5,696
Typical
$16,345
High
$26,993
Low
$6,079
Typical
$17,444
High
$28,808
Low
$5,832
Typical
$16,734
High
$27,636
Low
$5,640
Typical
$16,183
High
$26,726
Cost Comparison — Criminal Record Expungement
Low
$824
Typical
$1,832
High
$2,840
Low
$892
Typical
$1,984
High
$3,075
Low
$792
Typical
$1,760
High
$2,728
Low
$845
Typical
$1,878
High
$2,912
Low
$810
Typical
$1,802
High
$2,793
Low
$784
Typical
$1,742
High
$2,701
Cost Comparison — Deportation Defense
Low
$3,170
Typical
$7,900
High
$12,630
Low
$3,432
Typical
$8,553
High
$13,675
Low
$3,045
Typical
$7,589
High
$12,132
Low
$3,250
Typical
$8,099
High
$12,948
Low
$3,118
Typical
$7,770
High
$12,422
Low
$3,015
Typical
$7,514
High
$12,012
Cost Comparison — Asylum Application
Low
$2,390
Typical
$4,390
High
$6,390
Low
$2,588
Typical
$4,753
High
$6,918
Low
$2,296
Typical
$4,217
High
$6,138
Low
$2,450
Typical
$4,501
High
$6,551
Low
$2,351
Typical
$4,318
High
$6,285
Low
$2,273
Typical
$4,175
High
$6,078
Cost Comparison — Estate Administration
Low
$1,960
Typical
$4,550
High
$7,140
Low
$2,122
Typical
$4,926
High
$7,730
Low
$1,883
Typical
$4,371
High
$6,859
Low
$2,009
Typical
$4,665
High
$7,320
Low
$1,928
Typical
$4,475
High
$7,022
Low
$1,864
Typical
$4,328
High
$6,791
Cost Comparison — Work Visa Application
Low
$1,298
Typical
$2,284
High
$3,270
Low
$1,405
Typical
$2,473
High
$3,540
Low
$1,247
Typical
$2,194
High
$3,141
Low
$1,331
Typical
$2,342
High
$3,352
Low
$1,277
Typical
$2,246
High
$3,216
Low
$1,235
Typical
$2,172
High
$3,110
Browse Legal Services Costs by City in Massachusetts
Select a city to see local pricing adjusted for cost of living.
All Legal Services Services
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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.