New child support guidelines have been released and are effective as of December 1, 2025.
Last-reviewed: Feb. 4, 2026
Court systems navigation
- Federal Court information
- Accommodations and interpreter services must be available by request in all courts.
- State Court information
- The public can view the status of court cases on masscourts.org; instructions on how to search court dockets online.
- To check where a case will be heard visit masscourts.org, or call or email the court using this Courthouse Locator.
- For questions about the courts, the Virtual Court Service Center is a good first stop. The Center is available remotely (by zoom) M-F from 9a-2p. In person services are available at eight courthouse locations; hours vary by location. Brochures for the Court Service Centers are available in multiple languages.
- The Massachusetts Court and libraries across the state have entered a partnership to create remote access to virtual court services at local libraries. More information, including a list of participating libraries, is available here.
- Self-represented (pro se) parties to a lawsuit in Massachusetts courts might find this guide for judges regarding pro se litigants informative.
- The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries can help people seeking legal information. Librarians are available in person, by e-mail or on zoom.
- Housing Courts and Probate and Family Courts maintain virtual desk hours.
- People with upcoming MA Trial Court proceeding dates can sign up for eReminder notifications with the date, time, and location of their next scheduled court appearance. Sign up for updates for criminal cases or civil cases. Flyers about the e-Reminder service are available in multiple languages.
- New child support guidelines have been released and are effective as of December 1, 2025.
Pardons, sealings, and expungements
- Some evictions are eligible to be sealed so that evictions will not be as large a barrier for tenants seeking new housing. Use the guided interview form to help walk through the process and complete the petition. Helpful information for tenants is available at www.SealMyEviction.Org.
- Governor Healey has pardoned all adult Massachusetts state court misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana before March 13, 2024. Most people will not need to take any action to have their criminal records updated. People can apply for a Marijuana Pardon Certificate. Note that the pardon will not automatically seal the record of the conviction; people will need to apply for a pardon certificate and check the appropriate box for that.
- A criminal record will now automatically be sealed by the courts if the person has been acquitted of a crime in Massachusetts. To request to seal a criminal record, visit mass.gov.
- Many agencies throughout Massachusetts help people seal their criminal records. Use the MA Legal Resource Finder to find a local clinic.
- GBLS has online CORI sealing materials and offers a Virtual CORI Sealing Clinic on the 2nd Wednesday every month from 2:00p-4:00p. Their CORI & Re-entry Project assists eligible community members with sealing and expunging their records.
- Lawyers Clearinghouse has this registration form for their CORI clinics. Once people have signed up, if they are eligible they will be sent information and a link to the zoom.
Fees
- Massachusetts has eliminated monthly supervision fees, administrative probation fees, and victim services surcharges fees. Learn about probation fees that are eligible to be refunded.
- The MA Department of Correction (DOC) implemented no cost phone calls. As of December 1, 2023, phone calls from the standard wall phones in correctional facilities will not be charged to the incarcerated individual or the person receiving the call. There is no cap on the number of calls.
Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams
There are many ways care teams can support people with court and criminal system involvement-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.
If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!
Key Resources
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