Massachusetts Legal Costs (2026)
Complete breakdown of common legal fees in Massachusetts — from forming a business to filing in court. All data sourced from official Massachusetts government websites.
How Massachusetts ranks vs all 50 states
Understanding legal costs in Massachusetts before you file saves money and prevents surprises at the courthouse. Forming an LLC costs $500 in state filing fees , with a $500 annual report due each year after. If you need to sue someone in small claims court, you can recover up to $7,000 — and filing costs between $40 and $150. Divorce filing in Massachusetts starts at $200, not counting attorney fees or service costs. All figures below are sourced directly from official Massachusetts government and court websites and updated for 2026.
LLC Formation Costs in Massachusetts
Full details →Forming an LLC in Massachusetts requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and paying the $500 state fee. After formation, Massachusetts LLCs must file an annual report and pay $500 each year to stay in good standing. Your estimated first-year total including filing is $500+.
Massachusetts has the highest formation fee ($500) AND the highest annual report fee ($500) — $1,000 in year one, $500 every year after.
Access to Boston's tech and biotech ecosystem if you operate here.
Small Claims Court in Massachusetts
Full details →Massachusetts's small claims court — the Small Claims Session — handles disputes up to $7,000 without requiring an attorney. Filing costs between $40 and $150 depending on the claim amount. You must file within the statute of limitations: 6 years for written contracts and 6 years for oral agreements. Send a demand letter before filing — it costs nothing and often resolves the dispute without a court date.
Massachusetts allows online filing through eFileMA for many counties.
Divorce Filing Costs in Massachusetts
Full details →Filing for an uncontested divorce in Massachusetts starts at $200 in court filing fees. Serving your spouse through the sheriff's office costs an additional $60. Massachusetts requires divorcing parents to complete a parenting class before the divorce is finalized. These are court fees only — attorney costs, if applicable, are separate and vary widely by case complexity.
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court fees are set statewide. Some courts add minor surcharges for additional motions in contested cases.
Notary Fees in Massachusetts
Full details →Massachusetts does not set a statutory cap on notary fees. Remote online notarization is not yet available in Massachusetts. For documents requiring multiple signatures or notarial acts, fees multiply per signature — always confirm the total before your appointment.
No state maximum. Notaries set reasonable fees.
Common Legal Cost Scenarios in Massachusetts
Real-world combinations of legal fees you may face — based on official Massachusetts filing costs.
How Massachusetts Compares to Neighboring States
| State | LLC Filing | Divorce Fee | SC Limit | Notary Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts ◀ | $500 | $200 | $7,000 | No cap |
| New York | $200 | $335 | $10,000 | $2 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $350 | $5,000 | $5 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $160 | $2,500 | $25 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $260 | $10,000 | $10 |
All fees from official state government sources. Compare all 50 states →
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