25 Kenoza Avenue Haverhill, MA 01830

Phillips, Gerstein & Channen, LLP

Call Today

978-374-1131

  • Welcome
  • Firm Overview
  • Reviews
    • Client Reviews
    • Write A Review
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Michael A. Gerstein
    • Russell S. Channen
  • Practice Areas
    • Business Law
    • Civil Litigation
    • Estate Planning
    • Personal Injury
    • Real Estate Law
    • Tax Law
  • Legal Blog
    • Articles
    • Case Results
  • Contact
  • Welcome
  • Firm Overview
  • Reviews
    • Client Reviews
    • Write A Review
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Michael A. Gerstein
    • Russell S. Channen
  • Practice Areas
    • Business Law
    • Civil Litigation
    • Estate Planning
    • Personal Injury
    • Real Estate Law
    • Tax Law
  • Legal Blog
    • Articles
    • Case Results
  • Contact

An Update on Massachusetts Probate & Family Court Reopening Procedures and What It Means for You

Homepage > Family Law > An Update on Massachusetts Probate & Family Court Reopening Procedures and What It Means for You
concept-of-justice-lawyer-holding-a-hammer-pretend-BWTAJ76 (1)
An Update on Massachusetts Probate & Family Court Reopening Procedures and What It Means for You

Slow Re-Open

With COVID-19 still posing a serious risk to health and safety, the courts, like the rest of our society, continue to adapt their procedures to minimize the risk to court workers and private citizens. The Probate and Family Court is no exception and is adhering to the same general guidelines as the rest of the court system.

What Is Open?

Beginning July 13, Massachusetts courts, including the Probate and Family Court, allowed some in-person business to resume. No jury trials will be seated before September 8, 2020.

As of July 13, only a few types of court proceeding are conducted in-person. These are “trials and evidentiary hearings.” These proceedings are defined as those requiring:

1. That witnesses take oaths before a judge, making it a grave matter subject to perjury penalties
2. In certain cases, that documentary evidence must be presented which cannot be conveyed, for legal or technology reasons, over a virtual medium.

But don’t show up at the courthouse just to satisfy your curiosity. There are still restrictions on the general public entering the courts. In order to enter a courthouse, one must either be

1. taking part in a trial or evidentiary hearing
2. Visiting the Registrar for necessary in-person business
3. Meeting with your probation officer or other probation staff member
4. Doing business at other open offices that are housed in the same building or facility as the court

All other business, following guidelines laid down by the Supreme Judicial Court, should be conducted virtually.

What Is Online?

Hearings for a wide variety of family and probate matters, including restraining orders, are being conducted by teleconference or telephone. However, for many family matters, such as custody and child support petitions for modification, it is at this time only possible to file these petitions.

The Need for Experienced Attorneys

The differing procedures for the myriad different matters handled by the Probate and Family Court can be frustrating and overwhelming even in the best of circumstances. With COVID, it is more important than ever for you to have an advocate who understands how the courts function day-to-day so that your matter is addressed in as timely a manner as possible during the current crisis.

We may not have seen anything like this pandemic crisis before, but when it comes to family law matters, we have seen it all. Call us today to discuss the problem you are facing while access to Family and Probate Court is limited.

COVID-19 Family Law
Previous StoryHow to Land on Your Feet After Divorce
Next StoryMassachusetts Grandparents, Know Your Rights Regarding Visitation and Custody of Your Grandchildren
Call (978) 374-1131

Categories

  • Articles
  • Business Law
  • Estate Planning
  • Family Law
  • News & Updates
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Estate Law

Tags

Adverse Possession alimony alternative dispute resolution Auto Accident Business Contracts Business Formation Business Law Car Accidents child custody Child Support Co-Parenting Contracts Coronavirus COVID-19 Divorce estate planning Family Law Home Improvement Contracts injury irrevocable trusts Landlord landlord tenant Last Will and Testament Legal Entities Litigation LLC Marijuana Law Massachusetts Massachusetts Business Law Medical malpractice Noncompete Agreements Personal Injury premisis liability prenuptial property division real estate Real Estate Law Revocable trusts Slip and fall Sole Proprietorship Spousal Support tax implications Visitation Wrongful Death Wrongful Death Claim

Contact Us

(978) 374-1131

(978) 372-3086

25 Kenoza Avenue
Haverhill, MA 01830

Phillips, Gerstein & Channen, LLP is a law firm in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Our firm represents clients from Massachusetts cities throughout Merrimack Valley including Andover, North Andover, Boston, Methuen, Newburyport, Lawrence, Gloucester, Merrimac, Amesbury, Lowell, Groveland, West Newbury, Georgetown, and Rowley, and New Hampshire cities including Salem and Plaistow. We represent clients in Essex County, Middlesex County, and Suffolk County in Massachusetts and Rockingham County and Hillsborough County in New Hampshire.

© 2018 by Phillips, Gerstein & Channen, L.L.P. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Marketing by Bardorf Legal Marketing

Email Us
close slider

Get A Case Evaluation

We are happy to provide a consultation to all first time clients.

Please complete the form below and we will contact you.

Call Now Button