How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Massachusetts in 2026?
How much does a divorce cost in Massachusetts? If you agree and file it yourself, it costs about $215 to $600. With a lawyer on an agreed case, it runs $2,000 to $5,000. A contested divorce costs $12,000 to $35,000 or more. The filing fee is a flat $215 in every county.
Massachusetts has two divorce paths, and the path decides the price. A “1A” divorce is a joint petition you file together when you agree. A “1B” divorce is a complaint one spouse files when you do not agree. The 1A path is the cheap, fast one.
This guide breaks down the Massachusetts filing fee and the cost by type. It also shows how to keep your divorce affordable. Every number here is a 2026 number. The real total depends on your path and your lawyer.
Quick Answer: Massachusetts Divorce Costs at a Glance
Here is how much a divorce costs in Massachusetts in 2026, at a glance. The Massachusetts divorce filing fee is a flat $215, the same in every county. The total depends on your path, not the fee. An agreed 1A divorce stays low, while a contested 1B fight climbs fast.
| Cost factor | Massachusetts (2026) |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $215 flat, every county |
| Uncontested total (DIY 1A) | $215 to $600 |
| Average with a lawyer | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Contested divorce (1B) | $12,000 to $35,000 or more |
| Typical timeline | About 4 months for a 1A; 8 to 14 months or more contested |
Filing Fees and Court Costs in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts divorce filing fee is a flat $215. That is a $200 court fee plus a $15 surcharge. It is the same in every county and for both divorce paths. Divorce cases are heard in the Probate and Family Court.
Service of process only applies to a 1B case. A sheriff or constable serves the papers for about $45 to $150. The served spouse then has 20 days to file an Answer. A 1A joint filing needs no service at all, so that cost disappears.
Children add a small cost too. Parents of minor children must finish a court-approved parent education course before the divorce is final. Course fees vary by provider. Both parents also file financial statements and a child support worksheet.
You may be able to skip the fee. Low-income filers can ask the court to waive it. You do this by filing an Affidavit of Indigency. You can find the forms on the official Massachusetts courts website, and you can also see our guide to divorce filing fees by state.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Massachusetts by Type?
How much a divorce costs in Massachusetts depends on the type you choose. A 1A agreed case costs far less than a 1B court fight. The table below shows the typical total for each path. Your path is set by whether you agree.
| Divorce type | Typical total cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| DIY 1A joint petition (file yourselves) | $215 to $600 |
| Uncontested 1A with a lawyer | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Mediated divorce | $3,000 to $9,000 |
| Contested 1B divorce | $12,000 to $35,000 or more |
The cost of an uncontested divorce in Massachusetts is the lowest option. If you file a 1A petition yourselves, you pay close to the filing fee. The average cost of divorce in Massachusetts climbs once a lawyer or a court fight is involved. For the cheapest path, see our uncontested divorce guide.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce in Massachusetts
A few things affect the cost of divorce in Massachusetts. Your path is the biggest factor. A 1A joint petition is cheap because you agree. A 1B complaint costs more because the terms are in dispute.
Children raise the cost. Parents must take a parent education course before the divorce is final. They also file financial statements and a child support worksheet. A custody dispute adds more hearings and more legal time.
Property division matters a lot in Massachusetts. The state uses equitable distribution under section 34. A judge can divide all property either spouse owns. That includes assets owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance.
Your location changes the price too. Boston-area lawyers charge the most. Smaller counties cost less. A lawyer’s hourly rate reflects the local market.
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down in Massachusetts
You can keep the cost of divorce in Massachusetts low. The biggest saving is choosing the 1A path by agreeing. A few simple moves make a real difference. Here are the best ones.
- File a 1A joint petition together. When you agree, you both file as one and skip a costly court fight.
- Finish your separation agreement first. A signed, notarized agreement is what makes a 1A case work.
- Use mediation. A mediator resolves disputes for a few thousand dollars instead of tens of thousands.
- Use a flat-fee or limited-scope lawyer. Pay only for a review of your agreement, not the whole case.
- Request a fee waiver. If your income is low, file an Affidavit of Indigency to waive the filing fee.
For more ways to save, read our cheap divorce guide. Free help is available too. Greater Boston Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income residents.
Massachusetts Divorce Filing Steps (Summary)
Filing for divorce in Massachusetts follows a clear path. The right steps depend on whether you file a 1A or a 1B. Here are the main steps in order.
- Check the residency rule. If the marriage broke down in Massachusetts, you can file now. If it broke down elsewhere, the filer needs 1 year of Massachusetts residence.
- Choose your path. File a 1A joint petition if you agree. File a 1B complaint if you do not.
- Prepare the forms. Use form CJD 101A for a 1A or CJD 101 for a 1B. A 1A also needs a notarized separation agreement, and both spouses file financial statements.
- File and pay the fee. File in the Probate and Family Court in your county and pay the flat $215 fee. Or file an Affidavit of Indigency to waive it.
- Serve your spouse (1B only). A sheriff or constable serves the papers, and your spouse has 20 days to answer. A 1A case skips service.
- Attend the hearing. A 1B hearing cannot be held sooner than 6 months after filing. A 1A hearing comes much faster.
- Wait for the divorce to become final. The judgment nisi enters first, which means the divorce is approved but not yet final. It becomes absolute after 90 days for a 1A or 120 days for a 1B.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Bottom Line
How much a divorce costs in Massachusetts ranges from $215 for an agreed 1A case to $35,000 or more for a 1B court fight. The filing fee is a flat $215 statewide. Choosing the 1A path by agreeing is the biggest cost lever you control. Agree with your spouse, and you keep it cheap and fast.
To estimate your own number, try our divorce cost calculator. You can also read our pillar guide on how much a divorce costs.
