Press Release  Three Probate and Family Court Registers' Offices Pilot Virtual Registries

BOSTON, MA — Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey and Probate and Family Court Chief Justice John D. Casey today announced that Barnstable, Essex, and Middlesex Probate and Family Court Registers' Offices are using Zoom videoconferencing to operate virtual registries to assist the public.

"This pilot program is a truly innovative approach for the registries in the Commonwealth,” said Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey. “We applaud the Probate and Family Court for their efforts to increase court users’ access to registries by using technology," said Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey.

"We are pleased to be able to offer virtual registries to court users in Barnstable, Middlesex and Essex Counties, and we hope to build on this pilot program to expand to other counties," said Probate and Family Court Chief Justice John Casey. "This is a great resource for court users while court buildings are closed to the public except for certain matters and an alternative to going to courthouses after they reopen."

The pilot program, developed by Probate and Family Court Field Coordinator Keith Nalbandian, creates a virtual registry for Probate and Family Court matters using a recurring Zoom videoconference meeting link that operates during normal business hours when a host from a register's office is logged in. Virtual registries offer all of the assistance normally available during an in-person visit, including face-to-face contact, the ability to obtain and get assistance with court forms, and access to court documents and docket information.

In Essex and Middlesex Counties, court users who enter the virtual registry are placed into a waiting room and appear as participants to the host, who admits individuals into the virtual registry. The host is able to answer general questions and send a participant into a pre-designated breakout room for additional assistance on more complex matters. Breakout rooms are staffed with registry employees, and if available, a lawyer with a Lawyer for the Day program, to answer questions. The breakout rooms are managed by the host, so as one guest leaves a room, another guest is able to enter. The virtual registries are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information about the Essex and Middlesex Virtual Registries is available on the court system's website.

In Barnstable County, on specific days during specific hours, there is a staff member available for a virtual meeting on Zoom by appointment. The virtual registry is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Questions about Probate and Estate matters are scheduled for Wednesdays between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Court users can call the registry to request a Zoom appointment. More information about the Barnstable Virtual Registry is available on the court system's website.

In addition to virtual registries, members of the public can also reach Probate and Family Court Registers' Offices by phone or email. Contact numbers for individual courts and offices can be found online on the Courthouse Locator page. The public can also call the Trial Court Help Line to ask general questions about their cases and help them navigate the court system. The Help Line is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached by calling 1-833-91COURT.

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