{"id":8461,"date":"2025-10-07T23:22:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T23:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/?page_id=8461"},"modified":"2025-12-12T19:41:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T19:41:04","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Restraining Orders<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Can you look up a Restraining Order in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Yes. Most restraining orders, including 209A abuse-prevention orders, become part of the public court record once issued. You can request the case file at the courthouse where it was issued, and clerks can confirm the status of an order. Certain details\u2014like the protected person\u2019s address\u2014are often kept confidential. Law enforcement has full access through a statewide system, but the public can generally view non-confidential portions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Are Restraining Orders Public Information in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Restraining orders are presumptively<\/em> public court records. Anyone can request the file unless parts of it have been impounded. Courts automatically shield sensitive information such as addresses, phone numbers, and financial details of the plaintiff. Judges may also impound additional information upon request if safety or privacy requires it. While the case exists in a statewide database, only court staff and police can access the full internal record\u2014public access is limited to the court file itself.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Can a Restraining Order Be Dropped in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Yes, but only a judge can end or change it. The plaintiff must file a motion to modify or terminate the order and typically appear at a hearing. The judge will decide whether circumstances have changed enough that the order is no longer needed. The defendant cannot end the order on their own. Judges consider safety, past incidents, and current conditions. Until a judge formally changes it, the order remains fully enforceable even if the parties reconcile.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Family Law<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What Is a Wife Entitled to in a Divorce in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Massachusetts uses \u201cequitable distribution,\u201d meaning assets and debts are divided fairly, not necessarily equally. Both marital and, in some cases, individual property may be divided depending on factors like the length of the marriage, income, health, contributions to the home, and future financial needs. A wife may be entitled to property division, retirement benefits, alimony, and child-related support if applicable. The outcome is case-specific and based on statutory factors\u2014not automatic rules.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Divorce if Both Parties Agree in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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For an uncontested divorce, the primary mandatory costs are court filing fees. Attorney or mediator costs vary widely depending on how much help is needed, but an uncontested case usually remains comparatively inexpensive. Couples who prepare all documents themselves may pay only the filing, while those who hire legal assistance may still keep costs low because there are no disputes requiring litigation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Debt in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Possibly. In divorce, debts are divided the same way assets are\u2014equitably. If the debt was incurred during the marriage for mutual benefit, the court may assign part of it to either spouse regardless of who technically holds the account. If a debt was personal, irresponsible, or hidden, the judge may assign responsibility to the spouse who created it. However, creditors can still pursue the person whose name is on the account, regardless of the divorce order.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Criminal Law<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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How Do You Get Your Bail Money Back in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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If you paid cash bail directly to the court, it\u2019s held until the case ends. If you appear for all required dates and follow all bail conditions, the court returns the money, minus any mandatory fees. Bail can be forfeited if you fail to appear or violate conditions. Refunds are typically processed by the clerk\u2019s office after the case is closed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What Is Possession of Ammunition in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Massachusetts law makes it illegal to possess ammunition without a valid firearm license, such as an FID card or License to Carry. \u201cAmmunition\u201d includes cartridges, primers, propellant powder, and similar components. Possession without a license is a criminal offense and can result in fines, probation, or incarceration. Penalties depend on circumstances and prior record, but the offense is treated seriously even if no gun is present.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How Do Arrest Warrants Work in Massachusetts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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A judge issues an arrest warrant when there is probable cause that someone committed a crime or when a person fails to appear in court. Once issued, police can arrest the person at any time. To resolve a warrant, you must appear in the court that issued it\u2014usually by voluntarily going to the clerk\u2019s office. A judge then decides on release conditions, including bail, and the criminal case proceeds from there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Additional Information & Resources:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSee a List of Resources<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView List of MA Criminal and Family Courts <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FAQs Restraining Orders Can you look up a Restraining Order in Massachusetts? Yes. Most restraining orders, including 209A abuse-prevention orders, become part of the public court record once issued. You can request the case file at the courthouse where it was issued, and clerks can confirm the status of an order. Certain details\u2014like the protected […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8461","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nAfford Law - FAQ - Afford Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/faq\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Afford Law - FAQ - Afford Law\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FAQs Restraining Orders Can you look up a Restraining Order in Massachusetts? Yes. Most restraining orders, including 209A abuse-prevention orders, become part of the public court record once issued. You can request the case file at the courthouse where it was issued, and clerks can confirm the status of an order. 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Yes. Most restraining orders, including 209A abuse-prevention orders, become part of the public court record once issued. You can request the case file at the courthouse where it was issued, and clerks can confirm the status of an order. Certain details\u2014like the protected […]","og_url":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/faq\/","og_site_name":"Afford Law","article_modified_time":"2025-12-12T19:41:04+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/faq\/","url":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/faq\/","name":"Afford Law - FAQ - Afford Law","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-10-07T23:22:50+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-12T19:41:04+00:00","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/faq\/"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/","name":"Afford Law","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/#organization","name":"Afford Law","url":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Logo.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Logo.webp","width":1000,"height":859,"caption":"Afford Law"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8461"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8895,"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8461\/revisions\/8895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}