Probate and Family Court Department
Looking for Legal Assistance - Berkshire County

Welcome to the Probate and Family Court Department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. Many Probate and Family Law matters involve complex and valuable legal rights. You should always speak with an attorney before filing any papers.      This booklet contains a list of Lawyer Referral Services, Free Legal Resources and Legal Aid Agencies in Berkshire County

Lawyer Referral Services	Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Referrals to private attorneys, including reduced fee panel. Call (617) 654-0400 or (800) 392-6164 email: lrs@massbar.org To register online, visit www.massbar.org/lawhelp Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Referrals to private attorneys, including reduced fee panel. Serves mainly Greater Boston, inside Route 495, but will provide referrals throughout Massachusetts. Call (617) 742-0625 or email: lrs@bostonbar.org For more information, visit www.bostonbar.org/lrs/index.htm
Legal Resources The Massachusetts Trial Court provides free legal resources	Massachusetts Judicial Branch Web Site The official web site of the Judicial Branch includes judicial profiles, addresses, phone numbers and directions for courthouses as well as other useful information about the Trial Court. Click on www.state.ma.us/courts Berkshire Law Library Courthouse 76 East Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries are open to the public, providing legal reference services and legal research assistance. The library is open from 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Ask at the Registry of Probate for the Law Libraries pamphlet which provides more details.  Call (413) 442-5059 or visit the Law Libraries web site www.lawlib.state.ma.us
Free resources offered by the Massachusetts Bar Association	Tel-Law Tel-Law is a collection of recorded messages designed to answer basic questions about the law. Tel-Law is fully automated and you can access it 24 hours / day by calling (617) 338-0669 (Toll charges may apply). Web Site The MBA's web site offers answers to basic legal questions. Point your browser to www.massbar.org Dial-A-Lawyer The first Wednesday of every month you can get free legal help, by telephone, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Lawyer volunteers staff phones to answer your questions. Call (617) 338-0610
Legal Service Agencies These resources are available only to very low income and elderly individuals	Volunteer Lawyer Service Massachusetts Justice Project 57 Suffolk Street, Suite 401 Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 533-2660 or (800) 639-1209 Private attorneys represent qualifying indigent individuals on domestic relations issues at no cost. Attorneys will provide advice or full representation. Western Massachusetts Legal Services Pittsfield Office 152 North Street, E-155 Pittsfield, MA 01201 North Adams Office 85 Main Street North Adams, MA 01247 For intake, Call (413) 533-2660 or (800) 639-1209 Advice and direct representation in divorce, assistance to preserve existing child custody arrangements, protection from domestic violence, problems with DSS where there is no appointed counsel. Clinic for no fault divorces. Legal Advocacy & Resource Center Provides telephone information, pro se assistance and referrals to legal service agencies. Intake hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call (800) 342-5297
Legal Education Program	Legal Education Program A volunteer lawyer is available every Thursday morning in the Berkshire Probate and Family Court. A lawyer provides legal education regarding procedures in the Probate and Family Court only, as it pertains to pending matters. The lawyer does not file an appearance or accompany the person to the courtroom. Individuals must meet indigency (financial) requirements. For more information, call (413) 442-6941 or visit the Registry of Probate.