What kind of legal documents do Massachusetts Probate Courts keep records of?

Massachusetts Probate Courts maintain comprehensive records of various legal documents, including wills, estate administration records, inventory, disbursements, divorce records, guardianships, legal name changes, and adoptions.

How can I find information about a specific county probate court?

You can look up a county probate court location in Massachusetts and find telephone and email contact information. Additionally, check for a published or free probate online index for the specific county you are interested in.

Can I order copies of probated wills, estate administrations, and other records?

Yes, you can order copies of most probated wills, estate administrations, name changes, guardianships, and divorce records from Massachusetts county courts. We can assist you for courts in Bristol County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, and Suffolk County.

Are adoption records accessible at the probate court?

No, adoption records in Massachusetts are sealed and closed. For more information, refer to General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 210: Adoption of Children and Change of Name.

What matters fall under the jurisdiction of MA Probate and Family Court?

MA Probate and Family Court have exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters, such as wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. They also handle family-related matters, including divorce hearings, support, paternity establishment, family abuse protection, elderly abuse protection, disabled person's abuse protection, custody, and adoption matters.

How are probate matters filed in Massachusetts?

If a person passes away in Massachusetts, their family or attorney must file probate matters in the county where they lived before their death. County borders can be checked using a city and town map or a county map of Massachusetts.

Can I view a list of Massachusetts Probate Courts and their contact information?

Yes, you can find a list of Massachusetts Probate Courts, including addresses, phone numbers, websites, and email contacts. Quick links to probate courts in specific counties are provided for easy access.

How can I contact specific Probate Courts in Massachusetts?

Contact information for specific Probate Courts, such as Barnstable Probate and Family Court, Berkshire Probate and Family Court, and Bristol Probate and Family Court, is available. Telephone numbers, email addresses, and virtual registry links are provided.

Massachusetts Probate Courts: Hampden-Hampshire-Middlesex

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

Hampden Probate and Family Court

County Established: 25 February 1812 from Hampshire County

Hall of Justice
50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01102-0559

Telephone: (413) 748-7760
Email: Hampden Probate Court
Virtual Registry: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1600424858

Hours: M - F 8:15AM - 4:00PM

Towns In Court's Jurisdiction: Agawam, Blandford, Brimfield, Chester, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Granville, Hampden, Holland, Holyoke, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Montgomery, Palmer, Russell, Southwick, Springfield, Tolland, Wales, West Springfield, Wilbraham.

Hampshire Probate and Family Court

County Established: 1 May 1662 from Middlesex County

15 Atwood Drive
Northampton, MA 01060

Telephone: (413) 586-8500
Email: Hampshire Probate Court
Virtual Registry: https://www.zoomgov.com/my/hampshirepf

Hours: M 8:30AM - 4:30PM; TU - FR 8AM - 4:30PM

Towns In Court's Jurisdiction: Amherst, Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Middlefield, Northampton, Pelham, Plainfield, South Hadley, Southampton, Ware, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Worthington

Middlesex Probate and Family Court - North

County Established: 10 May 1643

Lowell Justice Center
370 Jackson ST - 5th Floor
Lowell, MA 01852

Telephone: (978) 656-7700
Email: Middlesex Probate
Virtual Registry: https://www.zoomgov.com/my/middlesexprobate

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

Towns In Court's NORTH Jurisdiction: Acton, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Boxboro, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Framingham, Groton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Marlboro, Maynard, Natick, North Reading, Pepperell, Reading, Sherborn, Shirley, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Wayland, Westford, Wilmington.

Middlesex Probate and Family Court - South

County Established: 10 May 1643

10-U Commerce Way
Woburn, MA 01801

Telephone: (781) 865-4000
Email: Middlesex Probate
Virtual Registry: https://www.zoomgov.com/my/middlesexprobate

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

Towns In Court's SOUTH Jurisdiction: Arlington, Belmont, Burlington, Cambridge, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Somerville, Stoneham, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Winchester, Woburn

Middlesex Probate,
Woburn, Massachusetts

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.