This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Deadline in Massachusetts

Under Massachusetts appellate procedure, a party generally has 30 days from the entry of judgment to file a notice of appeal. This deadline is set by Mass. R. App. P. 4(a)(1), which governs the timing for most civil and criminal appeals. The 30-day period begins on the date the trial court enters the final judgment or order on the docket, not the date of the oral ruling. The rule also provides certain exceptions and extensions, which are detailed in the official source. The worked example below illustrates how the deadline is calculated in a typical scenario. For a precise estimate based on specific dates, the calculator can generate the applicable deadline.

Governing authority

In Massachusetts, the deadline rule is set by Mass. R. App. P. 4(a)(1). The verified packet cites Mass. R. App. P. 4(a)(1) (https://www.mass.gov/rules-of-appellate-procedure/appellate-procedure-rule-4-appeal-when-taken).

Massachusetts deadline: the verified value is 30 days under Mass. R. App. P. 4(a)(1). The verified packet cites Mass. R. App. P. 4(a)(1) (https://www.mass.gov/rules-of-appellate-procedure/appellate-procedure-rule-4-appeal-when-taken).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the deadline calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.