Which County Probate Court are you Looking for?

Overview of Massachusetts Probate Courts

The Massachusetts Probate Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters such as wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.

If a person passes away in Massachusetts, and there are matters of probate, their family or attorney may file probate matters in the county where they officially lived before their death.

The Probate Courts also have jurisdiction over family-related matters such as:

  • Divorce Hearings
  • Change of name
  • Domestic relations custody, support,and parenting time
  • Equity - partition
  • Equity complaint
  • Equity petition
  • Estates and administration
  • Guardianships
  • Joint petition
  • Paternity Establishment, Support, and Custody Issues
  • Family, Elderly, and Disabled Person's Abuse Protection
  • Wills for safekeeping

Massachusetts Probate Court Seal Dukes Probate and Family Court

County Established: 1 November 1683 by New York and 22 June 1695 by Massachusetts

81 Main Street
PO Box 237
Edgartown, MA 02539

Telephone: (508) 627-4703
Email: Dukes Probate Court

Hours: M - F 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Towns In Court's Jurisdiction: Aquinnah, Edgartown, Chilmark, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury.

Massachusetts Probate Court Seal Essex Probate and Family Court

Essex Probate, Salem, Massachusetts
Essex Probate,
Salem, Massachusetts

County Established: 10 May 1643

36 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970

Telephone: (978) 744-1020
Email: Essex Probate Court
Virtual Registry: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1613549831

Hours: M - F 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Towns/Cities In Court's Jurisdiction: Amesbury, Andover, Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, West Newbury.

Massachusetts Probate Court Seal Franklin Probate and Family Court

County Established: 24 June 1811 from Hampshire County.

43 Hope ST
PO Box 590
Greenfield, MA 01302

Telephone: (413) 774-7011
Email: Franklin Probate Court
Virtual Registry: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606480378

Hours: M - F 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Towns/Cities In Court's Jurisdiction: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, Whately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I search for probate records?

A: Each county has its own 'Search' button. When you click this button, a pop-up window will appear with step-by-step instructions on how to search the probate indexes for that specific county.

Q: What information can I find in probate records?

A: Probate records typically contain information about wills, estate distributions, guardianships, and other matters related to the deceased person's assets and dependents.

Q: How recent are the available records?

A: The availability of recent records may vary by county. Some records may be available immediately, while others might have a delay due to privacy laws or processing times.