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Probate and Family Court Funding Crisis in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Bar Association posted the below video to raise awareness about the problems of not properly funding the judicial branch in Massachusetts.  The Probate and Family Courts specifically have been hard hit, and were recently forced to reduce their hours.   As discussed in the video, any law-abiding citizen can end up in the Probate & Family Courts for necessary family matters such as probating a family member's estate or obtaining a guardianship to protect an elderly relative.  When these cases can't be heard in a timely manner, the system is failing the public.  As the saying goes: justice delayed is justice denied.



"As the House of Representatives and then the Senate begin their budget debates in April and May respectively, you, as a member of the public or legal community, can make a difference, by reaching out to your state senators and representatives to reiterate the importance ensuring a full funded judicial system. Visit http://www.massbar.org/courtfunding to identify your state representatives and senators and join the MBA in advocating for proper funding of the state's third branch of government -- the Judiciary."

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