Massachusetts Divorce Cost Calculator

Filing a divorce petition in Massachusetts costs $215 in every county. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Massachusetts's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Massachusetts fees checked against official court sources on October 24, 2026.

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Do you have children under 18 together?
Do you and your spouse agree on everything?
How will your spouse get the divorce papers?

Leave blank if you are filing on your own. If a lawyer gave you an estimate of hours, enter it here.

Leave blank to use the Massachusetts average of $343 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Massachusetts

  • Filing fee for the divorce petition Source$215
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form) Source$0
  • Court costs you pay$215

Also note: A contested (1B) or fault divorce adds a $5 summons charge ($220 total); a joint 1A petition pays the $200 fee and $15 surcharge.

Court costs in Massachusetts run from about $215 on the cheapest route to $245 or more on a contested case with sheriff service (court costs only, not lawyer fees).

An estimate from official fee schedules, not a bill. The fee your court clerk charges on the day you file is the one that counts. (October 24, 2026)

Massachusetts divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in Massachusetts costs $215 in every county. (source)

  • Divorce complaint filing fee: $200
  • Surcharge: $15

A contested (1B) or fault divorce adds a $5 summons charge ($220 total); a joint 1A petition pays the $200 fee and $15 surcharge.

The case is filed in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (county division).

Serving divorce papers in Massachusetts

Your spouse can sign the Acceptance of Service section of the Domestic Relations Summons (signed before a notary public) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

Service by the sheriff costs $30 (Statewide sheriff/constable fee for in-hand service of an original summons and complaint for divorce, plus copies and travel (G.L. c. 262, s. 8)). (source)

Required parenting class

Under Standing Order 3-23, parents with minor children who have no agreement on custody or parenting time must take the four-hour online 'Two Families Now' course unless a judge waives it; register within 30 days of service. The class costs $49. $49 per parent, paid to the provider at registration unless the court waives it. (source)

Fee waiver in Massachusetts

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Affidavit of Indigency (plus Supplement if claiming under Category (C)) (G.L. c. 261, ss. 27A-27G). Three routes: receiving listed public benefits; income after taxes at or below 125% of the federal poverty line; or being unable to pay court fees or costs without depriving yourself or your dependents of the necessities of life, including food, shelter and clothing. (source)

The court or clerk decides whether to grant it and which fees it covers; filing the form does not guarantee a waiver.

Lawyer fees in Massachusetts

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $343 an hour in Massachusetts for 2025. (source) It is an average across lawyers, not a quote. Enter a lawyer's estimated hours above to price them, or enter the rate you were quoted.

Without a lawyer, court costs in Massachusetts run from about $215 on the cheapest route to $245 or more on a contested case with sheriff service.

What this page does not do

  • It does not file anything. Divorce cases are filed with the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (county division).
  • It does not quote lawyer fees; it prices only the hours you enter.
  • It does not decide fee-waiver eligibility; the court does.
  • It is not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a divorce in Massachusetts?

Filing a divorce petition in Massachusetts costs $215 in every county. If your spouse signs the Acceptance of Service section of the Domestic Relations Summons (signed before a notary public), there is no service fee. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Massachusetts is $343 an hour.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Massachusetts?

$215, the same in every county. A contested (1B) or fault divorce adds a $5 summons charge ($220 total); a joint 1A petition pays the $200 fee and $15 surcharge.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Massachusetts?

You can ask. File the Affidavit of Indigency (plus Supplement if claiming under Category (C)). Three routes: receiving listed public benefits; income after taxes at or below 125% of the federal poverty line; or being unable to pay court fees or costs without depriving yourself or your dependents of the necessities of life, including food, shelter and clothing. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Is a parenting class required for divorce in Massachusetts?

Under Standing Order 3-23, parents with minor children who have no agreement on custody or parenting time must take the four-hour online 'Two Families Now' course unless a judge waives it; register within 30 days of service. It costs $49. $49 per parent, paid to the provider at registration unless the court waives it.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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