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
Dukes Probate and Family Court
County Established: 1 November 1683 by New York and 22 June 1695 by Massachusetts
81 Main StreetPO 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.
Essex Probate and Family Court

Salem, Massachusetts
County Established: 10 May 1643
36 Federal StreetSalem, 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.
Franklin Probate and Family Court
County Established: 24 June 1811 from Hampshire County.
43 Hope STPO 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.