For the first time in my practice, I was in Probate Court and watched two parents have their 16 year olds in Court petitioning the Court to allow the minors to marry; and which was allowed.  The parents appeared to have given well thought out reasons, and the children were asked about it as well.  It certainly appears to be one of those instances that is rare in Massachusetts and given my opinion of 16 year olds, it appears to be a recipe for disaster given today’s society.  It is something that the Court is allowed to do if there has been a petition giving the minors the ability to marry.