Download pdf

Executive Summary• Pro se litigants ofthe Housing and Probate and Family Courts ofMassachusetts have an average annualincome of $25,000. Housing Court pro se litigants earn one-third more ($33,000) than Family andProbate Court pro se litigants ($22,000).• The average age ofrespondents is 37. Pro se litigants ofthe Housing Courts are, on average, older (41)than those ofthe Probate and Family Courts (35).• A slight majority (58%) ofpro se litigants ofthe Probate and Family Courts are females, while there areslightly more (52%) men representing themselves in the Housing Courts.• Eighty-five percent ofpro se litigants have graduated from high school.• A majority (70%) ofpro se users ofthe courts are White.• English is the primary language of 89% ofrespondents, followed by Spanish (6%).• While pro se litigants expect a lawyer to charge them an average of $265 for their court session, theyare willing to pay an average of$100.• A majority (60%) ofHousing Court respondents are using the court for Summary Process matters. Thelargest percentage (25%) ofProbate and Family Court pro se users are involved in Divorce proceedings.• The most common reason cited by litigants (49%) for why they represent themselves in court is thatthey cannot afford a lawyer. Slightly fewer respondents (48%) said that they did not need a lawyer dueto the simplicity oftheir case.oThese reasons were among the top two cited regardless ofCourt location, type ofCourt, type oflitigation, or demographic variables.Prepared by STS Market Research Massachusetts Bar Association - Pro Se User of the Court Survey - August 1999 Page 2