Mass. Gen. Laws » Part III Title I Chapter 215
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 215, § 7 (2026)

Attachment of jurisdiction; control of case

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 7. If a case is within the jurisdiction of the probate courts of two or more counties, the court first taking cognizance thereof by the commencement of proceedings therein shall retain jurisdiction thereof, and shall exclude the jurisdiction of the probate courts of all other counties; and the administration, guardianship or conservatorship first granted shall extend to all the estate of the deceased or ward in the commonwealth.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1968–1986 · leading case: Brophy v. New England Sinai Hosp., Inc., 497 N.E.2d 626 (Mass. 1986).
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Brophy v. New England Sinai Hosp., Inc., 497 N.E.2d 626 (Mass. 1986). · cites it 4× “Even if we were to consider the guardianship and the present action as one "case" within the meaning of G.L.c. 215, § 7, we would find ample support for considering the present action on appeal in spite of any defect in such jurisdiction below.”
Anderson v. Anderson, 238 N.E.2d 868 (Mass. 1968). “Addressing ourselves to the second contention, we are of opinion that while G. L. c. 215, § 7, confers exclusive jurisdiction of a case on that Probate Court which first takes cognizance of it, it is not applicable here in that the two actions brought by the petitioner were…”
Williams Coll. v. Attorney Gen., 375 N.E.2d 1225 (Mass. 1978). “Under G. L. c. 215, § 7, granting exclusive jurisdiction to the Probate Court which first takes the jurisdiction of a case, the Probate Court for Suffolk County had exclusive jurisdiction to decide matters relating to the probate of these wills and the administration of the…”
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