Current filing fees for divorce, custody, guardianship, probate, and other common Probate & Family Court filings in Massachusetts.
In addition to the base filing fee, most Probate & Family Court filings include a $15.00 Judicial Surcharge (M.G.L. c. 262 §4C) and a $5.00 Security Fee. These are not shown separately in the table — add $20 to most base fees listed below. 209A Protective Orders and Indigency Affidavits are exempt.
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce Complaint — 1A Joint Petition (uncontested)Both spouses file together; typically fastest route. A judgment of divorce nisi enters after the hearing and becomes absolute 90 days later. | $200 |
| Divorce Complaint — 1B No-Fault or FaultFiled by one spouse; 90-day nisi period applies after judgment. | $200 |
| Separation Agreement (filed with complaint)No additional fee when filed with the divorce complaint. | No charge |
| Motion to Modify Divorce JudgmentPost-divorce modifications to alimony, property, or other terms. | $100 |
| Complaint for Contempt (post-divorce)Filed when the other party is not complying with the divorce judgment. | $100 |
| Prenuptial Agreement (Complaint for Annulment)If seeking annulment rather than divorce. | $200 |
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Complaint for Custody (unmarried parties)Filed when parties were never married and seeking a formal custody order. | $200 |
| Complaint for Child SupportStand-alone child support action, separate from custody or divorce. | $100 |
| Motion to Modify Custody Order | $100 |
| Motion to Modify Child Support Order | $100 |
| Contempt — Custody or Parenting Time | $100 |
| Contempt — Child Support | $100 |
| Complaint for Protection from Abuse (209A)No filing fee. Available at any courthouse during business hours and at police stations after hours. | Free |
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Guardianship of an AdultIncapacitated adult; filed in Essex and Middlesex County Probate & Family Courts. | $185 |
| Petition for Guardianship of a Minor | $185 |
| Petition for Conservatorship (financial)Separate from guardianship; covers financial decision-making only. | $185 |
| Emergency Temporary Guardianship — Expedited SurchargeAdditional fee for emergency filings requiring immediate court action. | $25 |
| Annual Guardianship ReportRequired annual filing by the guardian. | No charge |
| Motion to Modify or Terminate Guardianship | $100 |
| Petition for Rogers GuardianshipRequired when ward needs antipsychotic medication approval. | $185 |
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Voluntary Administration (small estate — under $25,000)Simplified process for estates below the voluntary administration threshold. | $150 |
| Informal Probate PetitionMost common route for estates with a valid will and no disputes. | $375 |
| Formal Probate Petition — Estate under $500,000 | $375 |
| Formal Probate Petition — Estate $500,000 to $1,000,000 | $575 |
| Formal Probate Petition — Estate $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | $1,000 |
| Formal Probate Petition — Estate over $5,000,000 | $1,500 |
| Late and Limited Formal ProbateFiled more than 3 years after the decedent's death. | $375 |
| Petition to Approve Sale of Estate Real Estate | $100 |
| Petition for Formal Adjudication (contested)Used when there is a dispute over the will or estate administration. | $375 |
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Change of Name — Adult | $165 |
| Petition for Change of Name — Minor | $165 |
| Affidavit of Indigency (Fee Waiver)Waives filing fees for qualifying low-income parties. Approved by the clerk. | Free |
| Certified Copy of Court DocumentPer page charge for certified copies of judgments, decrees, and orders. | $2.50/page |
| Exemplified Copy (for out-of-state use) | $20 + $2.50/page |