Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Massachusetts
You file a Complaint for Divorce in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, in the county where you or your spouse lives. For an uncontested case, you file a Joint Petition for Divorce instead. Massachusetts calls this a 1A divorce. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 261, sections 27A through 27G, set up a statewide process for a party who cannot afford court fees and costs. That party can file an Affidavit of Indigency, asking the court to waive the fees, substitute reduced fees, or have the state pay them. We could not verify the current filing fee dollar amount on Massachusetts's official divorce filing pages, so it is not stated here. Confirm it with the Probate and Family Court in the county where you plan to file, or check the Massachusetts court system's published fee schedule. This page covers what is confirmed and flags what you should verify directly with the court.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how cost and filing fees works under Massachusetts law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Massachusetts paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Filing fee: confirm with the Probate and Family Court
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court cases, including divorce, require a filing fee when you file the Complaint for Divorce or Joint Petition for Divorce. We could not confirm the exact current dollar amount on an accessible Massachusetts government source. Check the current filing fee with the Probate and Family Court registry in the county where you plan to file, since the legislature or court administration can adjust fees over time.
Fee waiver: Affidavit of Indigency
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 261, sections 27A through 27G, set up a statewide process for a person who cannot afford court fees and costs. That person can file an Affidavit of Indigency, asking the court to waive the fees, substitute a reduced fee, or have the Commonwealth pay them. Courts use this affidavit across all Massachusetts Trial Court departments, including Probate and Family Court, and you file it along with your case.
Service of process costs
After you file, your spouse must be formally served with the divorce complaint. Massachusetts generally requires a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or constable to handle service for civil process. We could not confirm the cost for this service on an accessible government source. Check the current cost with the sheriff's office or constable serving your case.
Parenting classes
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court generally requires parents in a divorce case with minor children to complete a parent education program. We could not confirm how the program is administered or what it costs on an accessible government source. Check with the Probate and Family Court registry where your case is filed for the current requirement and cost.
What drives the total cost up
An uncontested divorce filed jointly, what Massachusetts calls a 1A Joint Petition, moves faster and costs less when both spouses have already agreed on a separation agreement. A contested, or 1B, case adds expense beyond the base filing fee through discovery, additional motions, contested hearings, or expert witnesses such as appraisers or custody evaluators. Massachusetts courts do not publish average attorney fee figures, so this page does not estimate a total cost. It depends on how contested your case becomes.
Not independently confirmed
- Exact dollar filing fee for a Complaint for Divorce or Joint Petition for Divorce
- Exact form name/number for the Affidavit of Indigency as used in Probate and Family Court
- Statewide sheriff/constable service of process cost
- Name and cost of the required parent education program
- Any e-filing convenience fee for divorce case documents
Cost and Filing Fees in Massachusetts: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Massachusetts?+
Filing a Complaint for Divorce or Joint Petition for Divorce in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court requires a filing fee. We could not find the exact current dollar amount on an accessible Massachusetts government source, so confirm it with the Probate and Family Court registry where you plan to file.
Can I get my Massachusetts divorce filing fee waived?+
Yes. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 261, sections 27A through 27G, let you file an Affidavit of Indigency, asking the court to waive, substitute, or have the Commonwealth pay your court fees and costs. This includes Probate and Family Court divorce cases.
What is the difference between a 1A and 1B divorce in Massachusetts?+
A 1A divorce is an uncontested Joint Petition for Divorce, filed together with an already-agreed separation agreement. A 1B divorce is a Complaint for Divorce filed by one spouse, used when the parties have not yet reached full agreement. It generally involves more steps.
How much does it cost to serve divorce papers in Massachusetts?+
Massachusetts generally requires a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or constable to serve civil process. We could not confirm the cost on an accessible government source, so confirm the current cost with the sheriff's office or constable serving your case.
Do I have to take a parenting class if I have kids in a Massachusetts divorce?+
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court generally requires a parent education program for cases involving minor children. We could not confirm the specific requirement and cost on an accessible government source. Check with your Probate and Family Court registry.
Does Massachusetts publish average attorney fees for divorce?+
No. Massachusetts courts do not publish average or typical attorney fee amounts for divorce cases. Attorney fees vary by firm and by how contested the case becomes, and courts do not track or report this figure.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in Massachusetts, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Massachusetts's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Virdix does not prepare or file Massachusetts divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Massachusetts.
More Massachusetts divorce guides
Virdix currently serves California and Florida
In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Massachusetts, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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