In Massachusetts, similar to other states, breach of contract lawyer costs may be very different depending on multiple factors, such as:
- The billing structure used
- The apparent complexity of the case
- Other issues and factors that are noted below
The average hourly cost of a breach of contract lawyer in Massachusetts can range anywhere from $250 to $750 per hour or more. In addition, the fees that a lawyer may charge can be higher or lower depending on their experience as well as the area in which they practice.
When an individual has signed a contract, and another party to that contract did not complete their services or duties as agreed, it may be necessary to consult with a breach of contract lawyer.
A local attorney in Massachusetts can help an individual resolve their breach of contract issue using mediation, negotiation, and litigation. It is important to have a legal consultation as soon as possible to find out what legal remedies may be available.
What Is a Breach of Contract Attorney, and Why Might You Need One?
A breach of contract attorney is a type of lawyer who handles cases that involve contracts, written agreements, and other documents and the issues or disputes that may arise from them. This type of lawyer will have knowledge about the laws that apply to contracts in Massachusetts and be able to provide their clients with guidance when their contract has been breached.
An individual can find it helpful to get assistance from breach of contract lawyers in many different situations, including, but not limited to:
- When they are considering signing a contract
- When they are facing breach of contract accusations
- When another party to the contract did not fulfill their obligations
- If it becomes necessary to breach of contract lawsuit to get compensation for damages related to the contract violation
What Other Factors Cause the Costs of a Lawyer To Vary?
There are many different other issues and factors that may cause the cost of a lawyer to vary, including, but not limited to:
- The location where the lawyer practices
- This is because there may be higher fees in larger cities than in rural areas and smaller towns
- Their experience level
- When a lawyer has many years of experience along with a successful track record, they often charge higher fees
- How complex the case seems it will be to resolve
- Factors that can increase the cost of handling a case include when the case involves:
- large amounts of money
- multiple parties
- complex legal issues
- The billing method the attorney uses for the case
What Services Do Breach of Contract Attorneys Provide?
A breach of contract lawyer can provide many different forms of assistance and services for their clients, such as:
- Legal consultations
- Contract review and drafting
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Litigation
- Damages assessments
Legal consultations
When an individual has a legal consultation, it is a meeting with a lawyer whom they are considering hiring to help them resolve their contract issue where they will discuss issues about their case, such as:
- Details about their contract
- The nature of the breach
- Any losses or damages they incurred because of the breach
The attorney may provide their potential client with legal advice during this meeting. They may also explain the possible options for resolving their issue both in court and outside the courtroom.
Contract review and drafting
When someone is thinking about signing a contract, they can have a lawyer review it first for any potential issues before they sign. When a contract has already been signed, an attorney can still review it to ensure that it is clear, enforceable, and aligns with the individual’s interests or the interests of their business.
Negotiation
If an issue arises related to a contract, a lawyer may be able to use negotiation to help the parties resolve their issue outside of the courtroom. This can be handled through emails, phone calls, meetings, and most other forms of communication.
This method can save all parties involved time and money. When negotiation is not an option, it may be necessary to try mediation or litigation.
Mediation
Mediation is a commonly used form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that can also be used to resolve a contract breach issue outside of court. During this process, a mediator helps the parties communicate, negotiate, and come to a resolution that works for everyone involved.
Mediation provides the participants with a sense of control over the outcome of their case. It also allows for a cheaper and faster resolution than using litigation.
Litigation
When negotiation and mediation cannot resolve a contract issue, litigation may be necessary. An individual’s attorney will prepare and file their client’s case and represent them until the issue is resolved in court.
They will provide their client with regular updates throughout the process as well as guidance about decisions that have to be made.
Damages assessments
An attorney can provide an assessment or estimate of the damages a client can request, which includes the amount of losses or harm they suffered because of the other party’s breach. This type of damages assessment usually includes reviewing:
- Financial losses, such as lost profits or other monetary losses
- Consequential or indirect damages, which can include harm to their reputation or the loss of future business opportunities
What Are the Advantages of Hiring a Breach of Contract Lawyer?
It can be very helpful and advantageous for an individual to hire a breach of contract attorney in Massachusetts to handle their issue, as a lawyer can provide numerous benefits, which include, but are not limited to:
- Saving time: Having a lawyer handle a breach of contract case can reduce the individual’s time and stress as they can focus on other aspects of their lives and jobs knowing their issue is being handled by a professional.
- The client’s rights are protected: A lawyer looks out for their client’s rights throughout the process until the case is resolved.
- Increased likelihood of the desired outcome: When a client has a lawyer, they are more likely to obtain their desired outcome in the case and may even be able to do so outside of the courtroom, saving both time and money.
Should I Talk to a Lawyer About My Breach of Contract Case?
If you are involved in any contract issue in the State of Massachusetts, it can be helpful to consult with a Massachusetts breach of contract lawyer. Although you may be concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer to help you, it is often more costly and detrimental to your case to try and handle the issue alone.
Your lawyer will be able to provide a damages estimate and determine whether any settlement offers are fair. You can find a breach of contract attorney near you in Massachusetts using LegalMatch’s no cost lawyer matching service.
LegalMatch is a confidential lawyer matching service that you can use in as little as 15 minutes by submitting your contract issue on the website and selecting your state. In around 24 hours, you will get responses from Massachusetts member lawyers who can help.
In addition, many LegalMatch attorneys provide free consultations, which can allow you to get an idea of what it will take to resolve your issue as well as interview multiple lawyers before choosing the best fit for your needs.
