Privacy Protections on Probate Cases
Hearings are public absent a request by the protected party or their counsel. Guardian ad litem reports filed in certain cases, including those involving estate plans, are generally public.
Guardianship issues may be determined at a closed hearing if the protected person or their counsel so requests.
Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all guardian ad litem reports, except those filed in cases involving accounts, licenses to sell, and estate plans, are impounded, meaning that they are kept separate and unavailable for public inspection. The reports shall be kept in the Registry of Probate unless otherwise determined by the First Justice.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B, § 5-106(c)
Mass. Probate and Family Court Standing Order 2-08