Probate Court Administration in Massachusetts

What is probate court? And when must you go through probate? According to estate attorneys at Moschella & Winston in Somerville, MA, there are two two types of probate administration in Massachusetts. (Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone dies.) See their Massachusetts Probate Court FAQ for more information.

The first type of probate involves a will, in which case a person’s estate and assets will pass according to the directions set forth in the will. The second form of probate is for people who die without making their wills, and is called "intestacy". In both cases, the probate court in Massachusetts oversees the distribution process. Following are a list of probate courts in Massachusetts.

• Barnstable Probate and Family Court
• Berkshire Probate and Family Court
• Bristol Probate and Family Court
• Dukes Probate and Family Court
• Essex Probate and Family Court
• Franklin Probate and Family Court
• Hampden Probate and Family Court
• Hampshire Probate and Family Court
• Middlesex Probate and Family Court
• Nantucket Probate and Family Court
• Norfolk Probate and Family Court
• Plymouth Probate and Family Court 
• Suffolk Probate and Family Court 
• Worcester Probate and Family Court