Law and Legal Research
MA Crisis Hotlines
Crisis hotlines accessible to Massachusetts residents. See the full list from Mass.gov here.
- SafeLink: 1-877-785-2020
For anyone who is being affected by domestic violence or dating violence. Volunteers at SafeLink speak English and Spanish, and SafeLink also has a service that can provide translation in more than 130 languages. - Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: 1-800-841-8371
A 24/7 hotline for survivors of sexual violence ages 12 or older. The hotline is also available to survivors' friends and families, as well as other professionals. - The Network/La Red: 1-800-832-1901
Provides support, information, and safety planning to anyone in the LBGTQ community who are being abused, or have been abused, by a partner. The hotline is also open to friends and family, as well as others who work on domestic violence issues in the LGBTQ community. The hotline is available 24/7. - New Hope, Inc: 1-800-323-4673
24/7 hotline available to anyone who is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual violence. New Hope primarily serves Central and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Featured BPL Resources
Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce by With compassion and expertise, family law attorney Emily Doskow explains how to make divorce less painful by helping you: understand the divorce process, minimize day-to-day conflict with your spouse, work with lawyers or mediators without breaking the bank, and avoid costly and exhausting court battles.
Nolo's Essential Guide to Child Custody and Support by Nolo's Essential Guide to Child Custody & Support can help you:
• Negotiate and use mediation to keep costs down and improve future dealings with your ex
• Find your state's child support guidelines
• Advocate for the custody arrangements you want
• Enforce and change custody and support orders
• Anticipate how your case will be handled by a judge if you go to trial
• Recognize the situations where you need a lawyer
Family Law
What is Family Law?
"Family law, also referred to as domestic relations in many states, is the broad body of law that covers marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, domestic violence, reproductive rights, and other matters regarding family relationships. Much of family law originates in English common law traditions surrounding marriage and the family unit. However, modern family law has expanded far beyond its common law roots, and family law is governed mostly by state law which varies highly from state to state. Some states take a limited view of family law, but many states such as New York take a broad view that includes parts of criminal law like juvenile delinquency. Often, states establish separate family or domestic courts to address matters of family law." (Wex)
Family Law in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts law libraries brought together legal information about issues involving families, including adoption, immigration, marriage & divorce, estate planning, and more. They have many pages about topics pertaining to families. Each page contains state and federal laws, regulations, cases and other legal information on a particular topic. Select your subject via their website.
Abortion Rights in Massachusetts
Abortion remains legal in Massachusetts. Following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, Executive Order 600 protected access to reproductive health care in the Commonwealth. Shortly after, the Shield Law was enacted to codify protections for reproductive and gender affirming care. The Shield Law is "an act expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care."
See the Mass.gov page Accessing Abortion Care to learn more about protections for abortion and reproductive health services, find a provider, or explore payment options.
The Abortion Legal Hotline: 833-309-6301. The hotline offers free and confidential legal advice for Massachusetts residents and those who travel to Massachusetts for an abortion, and also connects patients with information about abortion access and care in the state.
Divorce Resources
From Mass.gov, "You can file for divorce in Massachusetts if you have lived in the state for one year, or if the reason the marriage ended happened in Massachusetts and you have lived in Massachusetts as a couple." See Mass.gov for more information on filing, retrieving records, and more legal information on divorcing.
- Jane Does Well
Jane Does Well is the only non-profit organization in Massachusetts providing divorce care, support, educational programs and a critical support system to single women and mothers, free of charge, during a time of emotional upheaval and financial hardship. 
Divorce Support Groups in MassachusettsThis list is generation by Psychology Today
Divorce & SeparationResources from Massachusetts Legal Help
Related & Local Resources
Accessing Abortion Care in Massachusetts
Whether you live in Massachusetts or are traveling from another state, you can access abortion care in Massachusetts. Use this page to find an abortion provider, get help paying for an abortion, or to call the Abortion Legal Hotline (833)-309-6301.
Children's Law Center of Massachusetts
Children's Law Center of Massachusetts provides legal assistance, resources, and referrals to youth, parents, attorneys and helping professionals in the following areas: education, immigration, health and mental health, and system-involved youth.
The Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The purpose of this Commission is to be a resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and relatives, other than parents, raising kin. There are many different legal resources and services for grandparents and kinship caregivers.
LegalForms
Forms available on Gale Legal Forms include forms drafted by attorneys for a particular legal matter, forms from public records and participating companies and attorneys. See the Family Law section for forms on divorce, custody, paternity, marriage, Indigency, and more.Mass Legal Help
Explore issues related to Children, Families & Divorce: Divorce & Separation; Child Support; Custody, Parenting Time & Visitation; Paternity; Guardians & Other Caregivers; Department of Children and Families (DCF); Youth Rights; and Alimony.