What is the Probate and Family Court?
The Massachusetts Probate Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters such as wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.
For example, if a person passes away in Massachusetts, and there are matters of probate , their family or attorney must 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
Paternity Establishment, Support, and Custody Issues
Family, Elderly, and Disabled Person's Abuse Protection
Legal Name Changes
Adoption Matters
If you're unfamiliar with Massachusetts city or county borders, you can view or download these present-day maps.
Direct Links to County Probate Courts
Showing 4 - 6 of 14 Probate Courts.
County Established 1 November 1683 by New York and 22 June 1695 by Massachusetts
81 Main Street
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.
Search Dukes Probate Court Indexes
Dukes Probate Court Indexes
Click This Link to Access Massachusetts Court Cases.
You'll be directed to the "Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Website."
You'll see an official logo of the Trial Court.
Click "I'm not a Robot."
You Might Have to Play a Game Before you can Search.
Things Like "Crosswalks," "Motorcycles, or "Traffic Lights."
Just Play Along. Have fun. It's all a Part of the Process.
Sometimes, the Trial Court Doesn't Want to Play Games.
Consider Yourself Lucky. Just go Forward.
Look for “Search Public Records.”
Court Department? Click “Probate and Family Court.”
Court Division? Click "Dukes County."
Input Your Subject's Last and First Name.
Last-name-only Searches are not Allowed.
You can use the First Letter of the First Name, Such as "A"
This is helpful on names, like Antoine, Antoin, or Antonio.
I Highly Recommend Using the Less is More Approach. Ignore all the Other Options Listed and Leave Blank. The Best Approach is the "KISS" Approach. I. E., Keep it Simple Stupid!
If you get a hit, a List of Matching Dockets (i. e., Probate Cases) Appear.
If you see a Match, Click "Case Number ."
You'll see a Case Summary, i.e., in Legalease, a Docket Sheet .
A Docket Sheet is a List of Documents in the Case.
A List of Scanned PDF Images Will Appear on the Right.
Click the Image. You can View, Download, or Print.
Only Cases That Have Been Scanned Will Have Images.
Concerned About Your Privacy? What’s Being Recorded About You?
Review the Trial Court’s Privacy Policy.
Looking for More Advanced Search Instructions?
Go to the Massachusetts Trial Court Website.
Hate pop-up Instructions Like This? Me too!
Want Something to Hold in Your Hand?
Download a PDF of the Massachusetts Trial Court Search Instructions.
County Established 10 May 1643
36 Federal Street
Telephone: (978) 744-1020Essex Probate Court 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 .
Search Essex Probate Court Indexes
Essex Probate Court Indexes
Click This Link to Access Massachusetts Court Cases.
You'll be directed to the "Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Website."
You'll see an official logo of the Trial Court.
Click "I'm not a Robot."
You Might Have to Play a Game Before you can Search.
Things Like "Crosswalks," "Motorcycles, or "Traffic Lights."
Just Play Along. Have fun. It's all a Part of the Process.
Sometimes, the Trial Court Doesn't Want to Play Games.
Consider Yourself Lucky. Just go Forward.
Look for “Search Public Records.”
Court Department? Click “Probate and Family Court.”
Court Division? Click "Essex County."
Input Your Subject's Last and First Name.
Last-name-only Searches are not Allowed.
You can use the First Letter of the First Name, Such as "A"
This is helpful on names, like Antoine, Antoin, or Antonio.
I Highly Recommend Using the Less is More Approach. Ignore all the Other Options Listed and Leave Blank. The Best Approach is the "KISS" Approach. I. E., Keep it Simple Stupid!
If you get a hit, a List of Matching Dockets (i. e., Probate Cases) Appear.
If you see a Match, Click "Case Number ."
You'll see a Case Summary, i.e., in Legalease, a Docket Sheet .
A Docket Sheet is a List of Documents in the Case.
A List of Scanned PDF Images Will Appear on the Right.
Click the Image. You can View, Download, or Print.
Only Cases That Have Been Scanned Will Have Images.
Concerned About Your Privacy? What’s Being Recorded About You?
Review the Trial Court’s Privacy Policy.
Looking for More Advanced Search Instructions?
Go to the Massachusetts Trial Court Website.
Hate pop-up Instructions Like This? Me too!
Want Something to Hold in Your Hand?
Download a PDF of the Massachusetts Trial Court Search Instructions.
County Established 24 June 1811 from Hampshire County.
43 Hope ST
Telephone: (413) 774-7011Franklin Probate Court 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 .
Search Franklin Probate Court Indexes
Franklin Probate Court Indexes
Click This Link to Access Massachusetts Court Cases.
You'll be directed to the "Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Website."
You'll see an official logo of the Trial Court.
Click "I'm not a Robot."
You Might Have to Play a Game Before you can Search.
Things Like "Crosswalks," "Motorcycles, or "Traffic Lights."
Just Play Along. Have fun. It's all a Part of the Process.
Sometimes, the Trial Court Doesn't Want to Play Games.
Consider Yourself Lucky. Just go Forward.
Look for “Search Public Records.”
Court Department? Click “Probate and Family Court.”
Court Division? Click "Franklin County."
Input Your Subject's Last and First Name.
Last-name-only Searches are not Allowed.
You can use the First Letter of the First Name, Such as "A"
This is helpful on names, like Antoine, Antoin, or Antonio.
I Highly Recommend Using the Less is More Approach. Ignore all the Other Options Listed and Leave Blank. The Best Approach is the "KISS" Approach. I. E., Keep it Simple Stupid!
If you get a hit, a List of Matching Dockets (i. e., Probate Cases) Appear.
If you see a Match, Click "Case Number ."
You'll see a Case Summary, i.e., in Legalease, a Docket Sheet .
A Docket Sheet is a List of Documents in the Case.
A List of Scanned PDF Images Will Appear on the Right.
Click the Image. You can View, Download, or Print.
Only Cases That Have Been Scanned Will Have Images.
Concerned About Your Privacy? What’s Being Recorded About You?
Review the Trial Court’s Privacy Policy.
Looking for More Advanced Search Instructions?
Go to the Massachusetts Trial Court Website.
Hate pop-up Instructions Like This? Me too!
Want Something to Hold in Your Hand?
Download a PDF of the Massachusetts Trial Court Search Instructions.
