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Douglas M. Watson
has been an
attorney for 29 years. He is licensed to practice in both Massachusetts
and New Hampshire. His focus has been on litigation, particularly including
complex asset division and alimony issues in divorce.
He has tried dozens of cases in the Massachusetts Superior and Probate and
Family Courts and the New Hampshire Superior Court and Family Divisions.
He has settled by agreement hundreds more.
His philosophy of litigation is to avoid promoting unnecessary conflict
but to be ready for conflict when it arises. Aggressiveness for the sake
of aggressiveness is no virtue; yet litigation by its nature can be highly
adversarial. The effective lawyer acknowledges both of these realities.
Hourly fees for litigation, including divorce, are $225.00 per hour.
Retainers vary; Doug's typical divorce retainer is between $2,500.00 and
$5,000.00, depending upon the complexity of the issues presented and the
conflicts presented by the parties. All Watson & Watson clients receive
a billing statement every month detailing all work performed
and all expense incurred.
In addition to litigation, Doug is responsible for the office's real estate
and probate matters. Doug will always prepare and personally attend to your
closing -- your questions will be answered by him and not by a harried paralegal
with hundreds of files to manage.
Probate matters are handled promptly, personally, and at
reasonable cost. Wills usually cost $250.00 unless complex estate
planning issues are involved. All administration of estates is handled
on an hourly basis (unlike some attorneys, we will never charge you
a percentage of the total estate.)
Finally, a special interest and focus of Doug's is probate litigation,
including will contests, executor and administration disputes, partition
of land, and other real estate litigation issues.
In all matters, your first consultation is free of charge, and will always
include a candid discussion of fees and retainers.
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