Bristol Probate and Family Court: Your Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to legal matters related to family and probate issues, having a reliable court to turn to is essential. The Bristol Probate and Family Court, located at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780, is here to serve the residents of Bristol County. In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about this court, from its location and services to accessibility and contact details.

Getting to Bristol Probate and Family Court

Finding your way to the Bristol Probate and Family Court is crucial. Here’s how you can get there:

Address

Bristol Probate and Family Court 40 Broadway, Suite 240 Taunton, MA 02780

Directions

To plan your route, you can use Google Maps for directions.

Phone

• Register’s Office: (508) 977-6040
• Probation Department: (508) 977-4980

Online

• Email: [email protected]
• Bristol Probate and Family Court Virtual Registry
• Fax: (508) 977-6088
• View daily list (PDF)
• Public access to Bristol Probate and Family Court
• Get assistance in the virtual registry
• Search court dockets, calendars, and case information
• Sign up for civil court date text reminders (PDF)
• Forms
• Filing fees
• Learn about the Kinship Navigator Program

Transit-Friendly and Accessible

Transit-Friendly

If you prefer public transportation, you’re in luck. GATRA, the local transit authority, is available in the area and can be reached at (800) 483-2500 or through their website at http://www.gatra.org/.

Accessible

The Bristol Probate and Family Court is committed to providing accessibility for all. For more information, please contact the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator:

• Sharon Lemrise
  • Phone: 508-977-6076
  • Fax: 508-977-6087
  • Email: [email protected]

Hours of Operation

To ensure you visit the court at the right time, here are the hours of operation:

• Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Parking Information

Parking around the Bristol Probate and Family Court can be a bit tricky, so here’s what you need to know:

• There are municipal parking lots/garages within walking distance of the court.
• However, all parking immediately surrounding the Court is metered parking. Be sure to allow sufficient time to find appropriate parking.

Services Offered

The Bristol Probate and Family Court offers a range of services to assist you with your legal matters, including:

• Receive assistance in the virtual registry
• eFiling in the Probate and Family Court
• Sign up for eReminder notifications for your court events

Meet the Team

If you have specific questions or need assistance, here are some key individuals you can contact:

• Judge’s Lobby
  • Hon. Katherine A. Field, First Justice
• Register’s Office
  • Thomas C. Hoye, Jr., Register
• Probation Department
  • Michele Mullin, Chief Probation Officer

Online Court Resources

In today’s digital age, having online resources at your fingertips is incredibly convenient. The Bristol Probate and Family Court in Taunton understands this need and offers various online resources that can assist you with your legal matters.

Search court case records

When dealing with legal matters, access to case records is crucial. The court provides information about the types of case records available at public access computers and courthouses. You can also find instructions for searching Superior, District, Probate and Family, Housing, Land, and Boston Municipal Court case records. For online record searches, follow the link.

Published opinions and orders

To gain insights into legal opinions and orders, you can view Massachusetts Attorney General legal opinions on their website. This can be valuable when researching specific legal topics.

Forms and related information

For various legal forms not filed in court, such as tax forms, contracts, and wills, you can visit the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries’ website. They have forms organized by topic, links to related court forms.

Self-help, legal research, general information

If you’re seeking assistance, legal research, or general information related to the court system, you can access resources offered by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. They provide brochures and guides with information about elder abuse, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Contact information and links to relevant hotlines, shelters, and services are also provided.

Problem-Solving Courts

The court offers information about specialty court sessions that can set up supervision and treatment instead of incarceration for some offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems. These specialty courts include Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, Veterans’ Treatment Courts, Mental Health Courts, Homeless Court, and other local specialized sessions. You can find program descriptions, locations, manuals, brochures, and forms on their website.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

For those looking to resolve disputes without going to trial, the court provides information about court-connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Links to approved programs and guidelines are available.

Child Support Services

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue offers information about child support services, including how to apply, make payments, and modify and enforce orders. You can also access the online application and payment systems, guidelines, calculators, and forms on their website.

Civil Self-Representation

If you’re considering representing yourself in a civil case, you can find valuable information on the court’s website. Topics covered include types of cases, use of attorneys, court personnel, starting a case, trial procedures, and settlement. Links to additional print and online resources are provided to assist you.

Court Rules and Standing Orders

To stay informed about Massachusetts rules of civil, criminal, and appellate procedure, as well as all trial court rules and dispute resolution rules, visit the court’s website. Most court rules and Land Court standing orders are available as downloadable e-books.

Fee Waiver Requests

If you’re unable to pay court fees, the court provides instructions for requesting a fee waiver. You can find links to the indigency guidelines and application forms on their website.

Law Libraries

For those seeking legal resources and materials, Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries offer a range of services. These include an “Ask a Law Librarian” service via online chat, text, or email, document delivery, links to online legal research resources, downloadable e-books of court rules, and more.

Legal Information and Resources

You can find information and assistance on various legal issues in multiple languages. The website offers eligibility information for legal aid, free and low-cost program referrals, and self-help resources.

Legal Terminology

If you come across legal terms you don’t understand, the court’s website provides a glossary of used in Massachusetts courts.

Massachusetts Laws

Searching for specific laws in Massachusetts? You can search Massachusetts General Laws by keyword or chapter and section, or browse by table of contents. The website also allows you to search historical laws and documents, providing a guide to researching legislative history.

Self-Help Resources

The court offers information by legal topic for individuals representing themselves in Massachusetts courts. Topics include court procedures, terminology, legal assistance, consumer protection, abuse and harassment prevention, criminal law, family matters, guardianship, housing, probate, small claims, and traffic. Links to forms are provided for your convenience.

Traffic and Motor Vehicle Information

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles provides online information about vehicle registration, driver licenses, traffic laws and hearings, manuals, forms, and service center locations. If you have questions related to traffic or motor vehicles, this resource can be invaluable.

Legal aid, free services, lawyer referral

The Bristol County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service by telephone, fax, or mail. If you’re in need of legal assistance, this service can connect you with a qualified attorney.

Bristol Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day

If you require legal guidance on a limited budget, the Bristol Probate and Family Court Lawyer for the Day program can help. It provides income-eligible parties with advice, guidance, legal options, strategy, and drafting of pleadings and forms.

Limited Assistance Representation

In some cases, you may not need full legal representation. Limited assistance representation allows lawyers to provide specific services to self-represented parties for a smaller fee. These services can include advice, document preparation, coaching, court appearances for difficult parts of the case, and other agreed-upon tasks. Links to lists of qualified attorneys and required forms are included.

Attorney Discipline Records

The Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers offers online listings of attorney discipline decisions from 1999 to the present. This includes admonitions, administrative suspensions, and dismissals.

Community Legal Services and Counseling Center

The Community Legal Services and Counseling Center (CLSACC) is a volunteer-based agency that combines legal assistance with mental health counseling. Volunteer lawyers offer legal services related to disability benefits, family law, housing, and immigration law.

Complaints About Attorneys

If you ever need to file a complaint against a lawyer, the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers offers information about the process and provides links to agencies that handle attorney discipline.

Consumer Protection

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division provide information about consumer protection services, debt, mortgages and foreclosures, utilities, a list of complaints against businesses, a directory of local consumer programs, and forms and instructions for filing a consumer complaint.

Lawyer Directory

For easy access to Massachusetts attorneys, the Board of Bar Overseers offers a directory where you can search by name, bar number, and location.

Lawyer Fee Disputes

The Massachusetts Bar Association offers an arbitration program to help resolve fee disputes between lawyers and clients.

Lawyer Referral and Legal Assistance

The Massachusetts Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service by telephone or online form. They also provide a Dial-A-Lawyer free advice service by telephone and free presentations about elder law.

Legal Assistance

For a directory of organizations offering free or low-cost legal services, information about “Lawyer for the Day” volunteer lawyer programs, limited assistance representation, lawyer referral services, and Massachusetts and national lawyer directories, you can visit the court’s website.

Legal Services Directory

You can search a directory of Massachusetts organizations offering free and low-cost legal services by location, household information, and legal issue.

Working With a Lawyer

If you’re considering working with a lawyer, the court’s website provides information about payment, confidentiality, criminal matters, and how to file complaints.

Conclusion

Navigating the legal system can be a daunting task, but with the Bristol Probate and Family Court, you have a reliable partner by your side. Whether you need assistance, have questions about accessibility, or simply want to know the hours of operation, this article has provided you with all the essential information. Remember, the Bristol Probate and Family Court is here to serve the residents of Bristol County and provide support for all your family and probate-related legal needs.

FAQs

1. Is there parking available near the Bristol Probate and Family Court?
   • Yes, there are municipal parking lots/garages within walking distance, but be aware that surrounding parking is metered.
2. How can I reach the ADA coordinator for accessibility inquiries?
   • You can contact Sharon Lemrise at 508-977-6076 or via email at [email protected].
3. What are the hours of operation for the Bristol Probate and Family Court?
   • The court is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
4. Can I file court documents electronically at this court?
   • Yes, eFiling is available for your convenience.
5. Who is the First Justice of the Bristol Probate and Family Court?
   • The First Justice is Hon. Katherine A. Field.