Finding the Right Divorce Lawyer in Boston, MA: What Clients Should Know

Divorce Lawyer in Boston, MA: What “Local” Really Means

A Boston divorce lawyer is a Massachusetts-licensed attorney who handles divorce cases in the state’s Probate and Family Court system, usually the Suffolk division for Boston residents. “Local” matters here because divorce in Massachusetts is a state-law process run through a specific court, with its own forms, rules and calendar.

What a Boston Divorce Lawyer Actually Does

Divorce is not one task. It is a bundle of legal, financial and family decisions, and a lawyer’s job is to organize them, protect your interests, and keep the case moving by the book.

Work Before Anything Is Filed

Early work is mostly strategy and paperwork. A lawyer reviews your finances, explains which type of divorce fits, helps you decide whether a joint filing is realistic, and flags assets or debts that could become sticking points. If your spouse is already cooperative, the lawyer may draft or review a separation agreement, which is the written deal covering children, support and property.

This is also when a good attorney tells you what to avoid. Moving money, changing beneficiaries or running up credit cards can backfire once a case is filed, and there is a court rule about it (covered in section 4).

Work in Court and at the Negotiating Table

Once a case is filed, the lawyer prepares financial documents, responds to court deadlines, attends hearings, and negotiates with the other side or their attorney. Most divorces end in an agreement rather than a trial, so a large share of a lawyer’s value is in negotiation and in making sure the final paperwork is accurate and enforceable.

If the case does not settle, the lawyer prepares evidence and presents your position to a judge, who decides the unresolved issues at trial.

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1. Decide your path: joint (1A), contested (1B) or fault-based divorce.
2. Confirm residency and the right county for filing.
3. Gather financial records and family information.
4. File the complaint or joint petition with the Probate and Family Court.
5. Serve your spouse (contested cases) and exchange financial disclosures.
6. Seek temporary orders, mediate or negotiate.
7. Attend the hearing or trial; judgment nisi enters.
8. Wait out the nisi period; the divorce becomes absolute.

Where Boston Divorces Are Filed: Suffolk Probate and Family Court

Divorce complaints are filed in the Probate and Family Court division for the right county, and for people living in Boston that is the Suffolk division. The court’s main office sits in downtown Boston, and it also runs a limited satellite office.

Court Location, Hours and Contact Details

According to the court’s official Mass.gov page, the Suffolk Probate and Family Court main address is 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114. The Register’s Office phone number is (617) 788-8301, and the main office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A satellite office operates at Chelsea District Court, 120 Broadway, Chelsea, Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The court’s page also lists eFiling, eReminder notifications for court events, virtual registry assistance and a court clinic. Hours and services change, so confirm them on the court’s page before you travel or file.

Which County Is Yours? The Venue Rule

Where you file depends on where you live, not just on where you work or what city you call home. Mass.gov’s guide explains that you file in the county where you and your spouse lived together if one of you still lives there; if not, you file in the county where either of you now lives.

So a couple who last lived together in Boston, with one spouse still there, files in Suffolk County. Spouses who have moved to surrounding communities may land in a different county’s Probate and Family Court, such as Middlesex or Norfolk. A lawyer can confirm your venue in a short phone call, and filing in the wrong place wastes time.

Who Needs a Lawyer and Who Might Not

You are allowed to represent yourself in a Massachusetts divorce, and the court provides forms and guides for people who do. Whether that is wise depends on what is at stake.

Situations Where Self-Help May Be Realistic

Self-help is most workable when the marriage was short, there are no children, there is little property, and both spouses agree on everything. In that situation a joint 1A petition with a signed separation agreement can be straightforward, and some people have a lawyer only review the agreement.

Even then, a short consultation can catch problems with retirement accounts, health insurance or tax effects before they become permanent.

Situations Where Hiring Counsel Is Usually Worth Serious Thought

• Children are involved and you disagree about custody, parenting time or schooling.
• One spouse earns much more, or one spouse is asking for alimony.
• There is a home, a business, retirement accounts or stock compensation to divide.
• You suspect your spouse is hiding money or assets.
• Safety is a concern; see our guide to finding a domestic violence lawyer, and contact emergency services if you are in danger.
• Your spouse already has a lawyer and you do not.

Immigration status can also shape the decisions in a divorce. If you are in that position, read about working with a green card lawyer in Boston and tell your divorce attorney early so the two matters are coordinated.

Massachusetts Divorce Law You Should Understand Before You Hire

Massachusetts offers three routes to divorce: a joint no-fault filing under section 1A, a no-fault filing by one spouse under section 1B, and a fault-based filing under section 1. Each route is set by M.G.L. c. 208, and the route you choose affects speed, cost and how much you control the outcome.

The Three Paths to Divorce in Massachusetts

1A: The Joint No-Fault Divorce

Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A, spouses who agree the marriage has irretrievably broken down can file together. The filing includes a petition signed by both spouses, an affidavit stating that the breakdown exists, and a notarized separation agreement. No summons or answer is needed because both spouses are already on board.

Mass.gov’s 1A guide says the agreement must cover child support, parenting time, alimony, custody and division of marital property, and that the separation agreement can be filed up to 90 days after the petition. After a hearing, the judge decides whether the breakdown exists and whether the agreement adequately covers the required issues. The statute says the court ignores marital fault when it makes that decision.

1B and Fault Divorces: When You Do Not Agree

Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1B, one spouse can file a complaint alone, or both can file when they agree the marriage is over but cannot agree on terms. The other spouse is served with a summons, financial information is exchanged, and unresolved issues can go to a pre-trial hearing and, if necessary, trial. If the spouses later sign a qualifying statement and agreement, the case can switch over to the section 1A track.

A fault divorce is filed under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1 and requires proof of a listed ground: adultery, desertion, gross and confirmed habits of intoxication, cruel and abusive treatment, non-support, impotency, or a prison sentence of five or more years. Mass.gov notes that fault divorces can take longer and cost more than no-fault divorces, which is one reason most contested cases use section 1B.

Residency and Timing Rules

Who Can File in Massachusetts

Mass.gov explains that you can file if either spouse has lived in Massachusetts for one year, or if the reason the marriage ended happened in Massachusetts and the couple lived here as a married couple. Residency is a threshold issue: without it, the court cannot take the case.

If you recently moved to Boston, ask a lawyer to review your residency timeline before filing. Moving can also affect which state’s courts are the right place for custody questions, so do not assume.

Waiting Periods and the Nisi Stage

Under § 1B, a hearing on the divorce generally cannot happen earlier than six months after the complaint is filed, though the court may waive that period in limited situations such as consolidating with a section 1 complaint from the other spouse. In a 1A case the court has 30 days after the hearing on the agreement to decide, and the judgment nisi enters automatically 30 days after the initial approval.

The word nisi is Latin for “unless.” Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 21, a divorce judgment is first entered as a judgment nisi and becomes absolute 90 days after entry unless the court acts within that window. For a deeper look at timing across the country, see our guide on how long a divorce takes.

Money, Property and Children Under Massachusetts Law

How Property Is Divided

Property division is governed by M.G.L. c. 208, § 34. The statute directs the judge to weigh a long list of factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s age, health, occupation, income, employability, estate, liabilities and needs, and each spouse’s future earning and asset-building opportunities. The court may also consider each spouse’s contributions to acquiring and preserving property, including contributions as a homemaker.

Notice what the statute does not say: it does not set a fixed percentage split. Massachusetts courts use these factors to reach a result in each case, which is why the quality of your financial documentation matters so much.

Alimony Rules in Brief

Alimony is spousal support, and Massachusetts has detailed statutory limits. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 49, for marriages of 20 years or less, general term alimony generally cannot last longer than a set share of the number of months the couple was married, unless the judge makes a written finding that a longer or shorter term is justified. For longer marriages, the court may order alimony for an indefinite period.

The same statute lists events that can end or change alimony, including the recipient’s remarriage, either spouse’s death, the payor reaching full retirement age, and a finding that the recipient has shared a primary residence with another person for at least three continuous months. Because these rules can change the value of a settlement, have your lawyer model them before you agree to terms.

Children: Custody and Child Support

Custody, parenting time and child support are decided in the same case as the divorce, and the separation agreement or the judgment must address them. The Trial Court publishes Child Support Guidelines and a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (form CJD 304), and Mass.gov directs filers to complete it when child support is at issue.

Judges look at what serves the children’s needs, and the guidelines supply a starting framework for support. If your family has unusual circumstances, such as high medical costs or unusual schedules, ask a prospective lawyer how they handle deviations from the guidelines.

Divorce Versus Separate Support

What Separate Support Is

Massachusetts does not offer “legal separation” in the way some states do. Instead, a spouse can ask the Probate and Family Court for separate support, an order for financial support and related relief while the marriage stays legally intact. Mass.gov has a how-to page titled “File for separate support,” and the same automatic restraining order rule that applies to divorce also covers separate support complaints.

People sometimes choose this route for religious reasons, to keep health insurance, or because they are not ready to divorce. For a national comparison, see our guide to legal separation versus divorce.

Why the Difference Matters When Interviewing Lawyers

If you are unsure which route you want, say so at your first meeting. A thoughtful lawyer will explain the effect on property, support and insurance rather than pushing you toward whichever filing is fastest.

It is a useful screening question: a lawyer who explains tradeoffs clearly is giving you a window into how they will communicate throughout the case.

How to Compare Divorce Lawyers in Boston

Compare lawyers on fit, clarity and process, not on advertising claims. LawyerLocations.com does not rank or recommend attorneys, so this section gives you the questions and screening steps to do the comparison yourself.

Where to Find Candidates

Lawyer Referral Services

The Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service lets you submit an online request describing your situation; an intake team identifies the type of help you need and matches you with an attorney in that practice area. The BBA’s site says requesting a referral is free and that the first 30-minute consultation is capped at no more than $25, with some attorneys offering flexible fees or reduced rates depending on income and circumstances.

The service does not take referral requests by phone. For telephone help the BBA points callers to Eastern Regional Legal Intake at (617) 603-1700, which lists limited weekday hours, so check the BBA page for current times. The Massachusetts Bar Association also runs a lawyer referral program.

Personal Referrals, Online Directories and Court Resources

Friends, coworkers, financial advisors and other lawyers (such as the one who handled your home purchase) are common sources. A referral tells you someone was satisfied; it does not tell you whether the lawyer handles contested divorces regularly.

Directories, including this one, are best used to build a short list of three or four names. Then verify each person’s license and disciplinary history through the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers before you book a meeting.

What to Ask in the First Consultation

Experience and Case Fit

Ask how much of the lawyer’s practice is family law, how often they appear in the Suffolk Probate and Family Court, and what kinds of cases they handle: uncontested, high-conflict, business owners, military, or complex assets. Ask who will actually do the work, since some firms use associates or paralegals for routine tasks.

Ask for a candid read on your situation, including weaknesses. A lawyer who only tells you what you want to hear is not helping you plan.

Strategy, Communication and Settlement Approach

Ask how they approach settlement versus litigation, when they recommend mediation, and how they decide when to go to trial. Ask how quickly they normally return calls and emails, and who covers when they are in court. Do not accept a promise of instant responses; look for a clear, realistic communication policy.

Pay attention to whether the lawyer listens, explains in plain language and respects your goals. That tells you more than a polished website.

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Lawyer comparison scorecard

Criterion	Question to ask
License and discipline	Is your license active, and is your record clear with the Board of Bar Overseers?
Family law focus	How much of your practice is divorce and family law?
Suffolk court experience	How often do you appear in the Suffolk Probate and Family Court?
Fee structure	How do you bill, and what is the retainer?
Communication	Who handles my case, and how will we stay in touch?
Settlement approach	When do you recommend mediation versus trial?
Written agreement	Will you give me a written fee agreement before work starts?

Fees, Agreements and Ethics Rules That Protect You

The Written Fee Agreement

Under Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.5(b), a lawyer must communicate the scope of the representation and the basis or rate of fees and expenses to the client in writing, before or within a reasonable time after starting. The rule has narrow exceptions, such as a single-session consultation or a matter where the total fee is reasonably expected to be under $500.

In practice, that means you should receive a written agreement for any real divorce engagement. Read it before signing and ask about anything unclear: the hourly rates, who bills at which rate, the retainer amount, how expenses are charged, and what happens to unused funds.

Why Divorce Lawyers Cannot Work on Contingency

Contingent fees, where a lawyer is paid a percentage of a recovery, are common in injury cases but are restricted in family law. Rule 1.5(d)(1) says a lawyer may not charge a fee that depends on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement. The comments clarify that a contingent fee for collecting overdue support after judgment is not barred.

Red Flags and Good Signs

Warning Signs During the Search

• Promises of a specific result, a quick win or a guaranteed settlement.
• No written fee agreement, or reluctance to explain the billing.
• Pressure to sign or pay on the spot.
• Encouraging you to hide assets, move money or ignore court orders.
• Speaking negatively about your spouse in ways that inflame conflict rather than solve problems.

Any one of these is a reason to pause. Several together are a reason to keep looking.

Signs You Have Found a Good Fit

• Explains the Massachusetts process in plain language and answers your questions directly.
• Gives a clear written fee agreement and explains how bills are generated.
• Discusses settlement and trial realistically, including costs and risks.
• Shows respect for your goals and your family’s wellbeing.
• Tells you what documents they need and what you can do yourself to reduce cost.

What Happens After You File: The Boston Divorce Process

After filing, a Massachusetts divorce moves through automatic protections, financial disclosure, temporary orders, negotiation or mediation, and a hearing or trial. Contested cases follow the longest path; joint 1A cases skip much of it.

Protections That Start Immediately

The Automatic Restraining Order

Under Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 411, an automatic restraining order binds both spouses in a divorce or separate support case. It takes effect for the person who files when the complaint is filed, and for the other spouse when they are served or otherwise accept service. It continues until a judgment is entered unless the parties agree otherwise or the court changes it.

The order prohibits selling, transferring, hiding or giving away property, with exceptions for reasonable living expenses, ordinary business and investment activity, attorney’s fees for the case, a written agreement of both parties, or a court order. It also bars new debt that would harm the other spouse’s credit, changing beneficiaries on life insurance or retirement plans without consent, and causing the other spouse or the children to lose insurance coverage.

Temporary Orders for Urgent Needs

If you need a court order about custody, parenting time or support while the case is pending, Mass.gov describes a Motion for Temporary Orders (form CJD 400) filed with an affidavit and a proposed order. Statute also allows the court to issue temporary orders before judgment under § 1A and § 1B.

Temporary orders are meant to keep things stable, not to decide the final outcome. Ask your lawyer which temporary issues are worth pursuing, since each motion adds cost.

Financial Disclosure and Information Exchange

Mandatory Self-Disclosure

Under Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 410, parties in divorce actions must exchange financial documents early in the case. Initial disclosures include three years of federal and state income tax returns, the four most recent pay stubs from each employer, and information about available health insurance. Divorce parties must also provide three years of bank statements, three years of statements for securities and retirement accounts, loan or mortgage applications from the three years before filing, and financial statements or statements of assets and liabilities from the same period.

These disclosures are due within 45 days after service of the summons. A party who cannot obtain a document in time must say so in a sworn written statement explaining which documents are missing, why, and what efforts were made. Parties cannot file discovery motions until they have made their disclosures.

The Financial Statement

The court also uses a financial statement, covered by Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 401, listing income, expenses, assets and debts. Mass.gov’s guides recommend each spouse prepare one before a hearing is scheduled, and in contested cases the spouses exchange them after the answer is filed.

Accuracy matters because the court and your spouse’s lawyer will rely on it. A lawyer’s staff can help you build it from your tax returns and statements; start collecting records now. Debt is part of the picture too: if you are weighing bankruptcy alongside divorce, read about bankruptcy attorneys in Boston and ask your divorce lawyer how timing interacts.

Negotiation, Mediation and Hearings

Settling Without Trial

Most couples settle some or all issues. Settlement can happen through direct lawyer negotiation, mediation with a neutral third party, or other alternative dispute resolution options, which Mass.gov’s 1B guide points to. A signed, notarized separation agreement covering all issues means no trial is needed.

Settlement gives you more control and usually costs less than a trial. It is still worth having a lawyer review the final agreement, because a signed agreement is hard to undo.

Pre-Trial and Trial in Contested Cases

When spouses disagree, Mass.gov says a pre-trial hearing may be scheduled and both sides must submit a pre-trial memorandum. If issues remain, the judge decides them at trial and enters a judgment nisi with orders on custody, child support, alimony and property.

Trial is the most expensive and least predictable path, because the judge applies the statutory factors to the evidence presented. Your lawyer should help you weigh that risk against any settlement offer.

Costs, Deadlines and Decision Points in a Boston Divorce

Two kinds of cost matter: court fees, which are fixed and published, and legal fees, which vary by lawyer and by how contested the case becomes. This section sticks to verified court amounts and explains the factors that push legal fees up or down rather than quoting averages.

Court Filing Fees

What You Pay the Court

The Massachusetts Trial Court’s fee page lists a divorce complaint filing fee of $200 plus a $15 surcharge. Mass.gov’s 1A guide totals that at $215, and its 1B guide adds a $5 summons charge for a total of $220. Payment can be made by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, cash, or credit card, and the court says to contact the court you are filing at about payment locations.

Fees can change, so confirm the current amounts on the Trial Court’s fee page before you file.

Service, Publication and Fee Waivers

If you must serve a spouse, the court’s page says the petitioner pays any publication costs, and separate citation and summons fees apply. If you cannot afford the fees, both Mass.gov guides refer to an indigency application, and the 1A guide says couples who are both indigent may request a fee waiver.

Lawyer Fees and What Moves the Price

Common Billing Structures

Family lawyers commonly bill by the hour, often asking for an upfront retainer that is drawn down as work is done. Some offer flat fees for narrow tasks, such as reviewing a separation agreement or handling an uncontested filing. Ask each lawyer which model they use and what it covers.

The Massachusetts ethics comments say a lawyer may require advance payment but must return any unearned portion, so ask what happens to unused retainer funds and get the answer in your fee agreement.

Factors That Raise or Lower the Total

Rule 1.5(a) lists the factors that go into whether a fee is reasonable: the time and labor required, the difficulty of the questions, the skill needed, fees customarily charged locally for similar work, the amount involved, time limits, and the lawyer’s experience. Those same factors explain why two Boston divorces can have very different bills.

Practical Ways to Control Costs

You can lower legal spending without cutting corners. Do your own document gathering, keep a single running list of questions rather than calling about each one, and decide your priorities before negotiating so your lawyer is not billing time while you make up your mind.

Ask whether the lawyer will give you a periodic statement and an estimate for each stage. An estimate is not a promise, but it helps you plan and signals whether the firm manages costs carefully.

Low-Cost and Free Help in Boston

Referral Services and Court-Linked Programs

The Boston Bar Association’s referral service caps the first 30-minute consultation at $25 and may match income-qualified clients with reduced-rate attorneys. The Suffolk Probate and Family Court’s website also lists a Lawyer for the Day program, so check that page for current availability and eligibility before you go. The court’s own listing includes a court clinic and virtual registry assistance.

Massachusetts Legal Help (masslegalhelp.org) publishes plain-language information on children, families and divorce that is worth reading before you meet any lawyer. The Trial Court’s site lists a Boston Court Service Center, and its page is the place to check for current services.

Using Limited Help Wisely

If you cannot afford full representation, consider a paid consultation to map out your options, then handle routine steps yourself and return to the lawyer for key decisions or document review. Ask any lawyer whether they offer this kind of limited help, and get the scope in writing.

Whatever you choose, do not skip review of a final separation agreement. It becomes part of a court judgment and is hard to change later.

Deadlines and Decision Points at a Glance

The Timeline in Plain Terms

The time limits below come from the statutes and court rules cited above. Your own calendar will depend on court scheduling and what you and your spouse do, so treat the table as a map, not a prediction.

The Big Decision: Settle or Litigate?

The biggest decision point in most Boston divorces comes after financial disclosure, when you can see the full picture. Ask your lawyer to explain what a settlement would look like, what a judge might do, and what each path would likely cost in time and money.

If the other side’s offer is reasonable, settling often saves money and stress. If it is not, your lawyer should help you decide whether a better offer is realistic or whether the issue needs a judge.

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1. Before filing: confirm residency and venue, gather records, choose a path.
2. Filing: submit the joint petition or complaint with the court fee.
3. Within 45 days of service: exchange mandatory financial disclosures.
4. Early in the case: ask for temporary orders if you need them.
5. Decision point: settle or prepare for a hearing or trial.
6. Judgment nisi: the court approves or decides the divorce.
7. 90 days later: the judgment becomes absolute unless the court acts.

Decision question: Is the other side’s proposal fair when you compare it with the likely court outcome? If yes, consider settling. If no, ask your lawyer about mediation or trial preparation.

Preparing: Documents, Consultations and Common Mistakes

Good preparation shortens consultations, reduces billable time and helps your lawyer give better advice. The mandatory disclosure rule tells you most of what to gather, so start there.

Your Document Checklist

Financial Records

Start with the items the court requires by rule and add what is specific to your household.

• Three years of federal and state income tax returns, with W-2s and 1099s.
• The four most recent pay stubs from each employer, plus information on health insurance cost and options.
• Three years of bank statements for every account, including joint, individual and business accounts.
• Three years of statements for retirement accounts, investments and securities.
• Mortgage or loan applications from the three years before filing.
• Deeds, vehicle titles, insurance policies, credit card statements and debt records.

Organize them by category and date. Keep copies of everything and do not remove originals from places your spouse can also access in ways that could look like hiding records.

Family and Personal Information

Gather your certified marriage certificate (the court requires it at filing, or a motion to file it late), names and birth dates of children, school and childcare details, and any existing court orders. If you are filing with children under 18, expect to complete a custody disclosure affidavit that lists where each child has lived.

Write a short timeline of the marriage, the separation and your parenting role. A one-page summary makes your first consultation far more productive.

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• Marriage certificate and children’s information
• Three years of tax returns
• Recent pay stubs
• Bank and credit card statements
• Retirement and investment statements
• Mortgage, deed and loan records
• Insurance policies and health coverage details
• List of questions and your top priorities

Making the Most of Your Consultation

Set Your Goals Before You Meet

Write down what matters most: time with your children, keeping the house, a clean financial break, protecting a business, or safety. Rank them. Lawyers can pursue many goals, but priorities help them recommend a realistic plan.

Be ready to hear tradeoffs. A good consultation is a two-way conversation, not a sales pitch.

Be Honest and Organized

Tell the lawyer the whole story, including unfavorable facts. Conversations with a lawyer you are consulting are generally confidential, but the confidentiality only helps if you are candid. Bring your documents, your timeline and your questions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Money Mistakes

• Moving or hiding assets, or changing account ownership after a case begins.
• Running up credit card debt or borrowing against the home without agreement or court permission.
• Changing beneficiaries on insurance or retirement accounts while the restraining order applies.
• Cancelling health, auto or life insurance that covers your spouse or children.
• Signing a separation agreement without understanding retirement, tax and insurance effects.

Each of these can hurt your credibility and may violate the automatic restraining order. When in doubt, ask first.

Communication and Conduct Mistakes

Avoid posting about the divorce on social media, venting in texts you would not want a judge to read, or using the children as messengers. Written messages can end up as evidence.

Keep communication with your spouse businesslike and focused on logistics. If there is a safety issue, prioritize your safety and talk with a lawyer or advocate about protective options.

Questions People Ask and Your Next Steps

The short answers below pull together the points that come up most often when people search for a divorce lawyer in Boston, MA. Each answer is general information; a lawyer can apply it to your facts.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Filing, Courts and Timing

If your question is about a safety issue, an immigration question or a debt problem, those topics usually need a separate specialist as well as a divorce lawyer, and the guides linked above can help you get started.

Money, Children and Hiring a Lawyer

Your Next Steps

In the Next Week

1. Protect your safety and finances. If there is danger, contact emergency services first; otherwise secure copies of financial records.
2. Gather documents. Use the checklist in section 6 as your starting point.
3. Shortlist lawyers. Use a referral service, trusted recommendations and a directory, then verify each license.
4. Book consultations. Ask about fees before the meeting so you can compare candidates fairly.

Do not make major financial moves while you are deciding. If you already have a case filed or served, the automatic restraining order is in place.

Before You Sign a Fee Agreement

Read the agreement fully. Confirm the scope of work, the hourly rates, the retainer, how expenses are billed, and what happens if you end the relationship. Ask for changes in writing, and keep a signed copy for your records.

If something in the agreement does not match what you were told, resolve it before you pay. The Massachusetts rule requires fee communication in writing for a reason.