Boston Divorce Lawyer Blog

The probate and family courts of Massachusetts recently released data of different types of filings from 2005 to 2009.

Several interesting numbers:

Divorce filings in 2005 – 47,130
Divorce filings in 2009 – 53,097

Paternity filings in 2005 – 36,583
Paternity filings in 2009 – 49,754

These numbers show that there is a steady increase in the number of divorces filed (23.3%) and the number of paternity cases filed (26.5%).  During this period of time, most divorce attorneys in and around the Boston area will tell you that there has been a decrease in clients.  If there is an increase in the number of divorces being filed but a decrease in business for divorce attorneys, that means that there are more and more people filing for divorce on their own (pro se).

It is our role as lawyers to help people and it is our professional obligation to do more to help those filing for divorce navigate their way through the court system.  Personally, I do my part by participating in many different pro bono activities and also publishing this blog to help answer people’s question about divorce free of charge.

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