PROBATE & FAMILY Court Information
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court, 120 New Chardon Street, Boston
- The Registry of Probate: The function of the personnel of the Registry of Probate and the Assistant Registers is to process and control the business brought before the court. They are responsible for receiving, recording, and maintaining all paperwork related to the cases filed in the court. The Registry of Probate is located on the third floor of the courthouse. That is where all papers related to divorce cases are received for filing if they are filed in person. In the last few years the court has implemented e-filing and now most domestic relations matters can be filed electronically with the court.
- Courtrooms: There are several courtrooms in the building on the fourth floor. There are other courts in the building on different floors (housing court, for example). On a typical day four or five probate judges are hearing cases.
- Probation Department (a/k/a Family Services Office): The Probation Department and Family Services Office are one in the same. It is located on the third floor. Contested cases when one or both parties do not have counsel are often referred by the court to probation officers for mediation, investigation, and recommendation, or anytime there is a restraining order. They also usually handle drug and alcohol testing and referrals.
- Department of Revenue (Child Support Enforcement division): The people who work in the DOR office intervene in all cases in which child support is at issue and if one of the parties is receiving financial assistance from the state. A member of the DOR staff must be notified in all such cases and will appear before the judge when the case is heard to express the position of the DOR concerning the issues of child support and health insurance coverage.
- Department of Revenue (Child Support Enforcement division): The people who work in the DOR office intervene in all cases in which child support is at issue and if one of the parties is receiving financial assistance from the state. A member of the DOR staff must be notified in all such cases and will appear before the judge when the case is heard to express the position of the DOR concerning the issues of child support and health insurance coverage.
The Essex Probate and Family Court(s)
Salem, 36 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970
- The Registry of Probate in Salem is on the first floor of the Courthouse and is where all papers related to divorce/paternity/adoption/guardianship cases are received for filing if they are filed in person. In the last few years, the court has implemented e-filing and now most domestic relations matters can be filed electronically with the court. In Salem, the courtrooms are on the second floor and the Probation Department is in the basement. The DOR is on the first floor in Salem.
Lawrence, 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
- There is also a session in Lawrence so always check your court notices. Typically cases that have a party living in Lawrence, Methuen, Andover will be in the Lawrence session. In Lawrence the registry is in the basement and the Courtroom is on the third floor. There is only one Judge in session in Lawrence. The probation department is on the first floor.
The Middlesex Probate and Family Court(s)
Middlesex South, 10-U Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 01801
- There is a Middlesex South and Middlesex North so always check notices to ensure you are going to the correct courthouse when dealing with Middlesex cases. The Registry of Probate and courtrooms are on the 1st floor (there is only one floor at this location).
Middlesex North, 370 Jackson Street, 5th floor, Lowell, MA.
- At Middlesex North, the Registry and courtrooms are on the 5th floor.
The Norfolk Probate and Family Court
35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021
- Probation, Registry and most of the Courtrooms are on the third floor. When you enter the courthouse – go to the right and find the wall board which lists your name and the courtroom you are assigned.
Additional Courts
- There are also Courts in Worcester, Brockton, Bristol, Plymouth and islands which our office may cover depending on the circumstances of your case.
Important Forms
In every case involving support, property division or financial issues of any kind, parties must fill out a financial statement, even if parties have an agreement.
In every case involving the support of children, parties must file Child Support Guidelines, even when there is an agreement regarding the support of the children. The guidelines are calculated using the gross weekly income of each party.
Child Support Guidelines are applied to all child support orders and judgments to be used by the justices of the Trial Court. The 2025 Child Support Guidelines and forms are effective December 1, 2025.
Any time parties wish to deviate from the Child Support Guidelines, even when there is an agreement, they must file a deviation form, and the judge must find that deviating from the guidelines is in the best interests of the children.