COVID-19 – If it is an Emergency, how would your Case be Heard in Probate and Family Court.

Disclaimer:  This is a series of blogs related to the impact of COVID-19 on the court system; in particular, the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court.  This information may be outdated and it is important to look at the court’s website.  Also, different courts have different particularities.  I have gotten this from both speaking to other lawyers’ and the staff at the Probate and Family Court along with Zoom conferences and other articles along with reading the standing orders.

Even emergency matters are being done without the physical presence of the party’s attorney or other members of the public. You should try and contact your specific court.  If your court is completely closed, there is a phone number 1-833-91court.  This number should only be called after attempting to contact your specific county court.

In addition, that number will help facilitate the Mass Court Systems in the county court and could answer general questions but it is less likely to be able to give specific answers. Again, you would want to call your county Probate and Family Court and only call the emergency number if you are not able to get through at all to the county clerk.