---
title: "Mary Ferriter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Mary Ferriter

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and photography

Scope: statewide

In Massachusetts courts, photography, recording, or electronic transmission in a courtroom or related judicial space requires prior authorization from the judge or magistrate supervising that place, subject to Rule 1:19's separate provisions for registered news media.

Evidence excerpt: No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, in any courtroom, hearing room, office, chambers or lobby of a judge or magistrate without prior authorization

[Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices)
- [Official roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices)
- [Massachusetts Trial Court official judicial roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices)
- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court",
      "name": "Mary Ferriter | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Mary Ferriter, Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-27",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court#judge",
      "name": "Mary Ferriter",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court",
      "jobTitle": "Justice",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Massachusetts Probate and Family Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-justices"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Massachusetts",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/massachusetts"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Mary Ferriter",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-ferriter-massachusetts-probate-family-court"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career


### Education

- Lesley University — B.S.
- Suffolk University School of Law — J.D.
- University of Massachusetts Boston, McCormack Institute of Public Policy — M.S., Public Administration

### Additional information

- Since 2006, she has practiced with Esdaile Barrett & Jacobs
- Mary Ferriter, originally from Holyoke, Massachusetts, was nominated by Governor Maura Healey on March 4, 2026, and confirmed by the Massachusetts Governor’s Council following a 4-3 vote on April 1, 2026
- She also worked with the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Administrative Office from 1988 to 2001, supporting judges and court staff in managing child welfare cases
- Highly experienced family law attorney and now a Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge
- representing clients in all aspects of probate and family law, including divorce, post-divorce modifications, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, child custody, child support, and property division Earlier in her career, Ferriter held the role of Director of the High Conflict Parent Education Program at William James College, managing court-ordered programming, supervising staff and volunteers, and coordinating services for families
- Ferriter has nearly four decades of experience in the Probate and Family Court system
- Despite these concerns, the Governor’s Council confirmed her appointment, citing her extensive experience and judgment in family law matters
- Her career spans litigation, program administration, and court support, though her confirmation was met with some opposition due to her prior involvement in a controversial parenting program
- She spent 23 years as a litigator, negotiator, and direct client advocate, and 13 years working closely with mental health professionals, court systems, and judicial administrators
- She now serves as an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court, which handles matters including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and estate issues
- Ferriter’s appointment drew criticism due to her previous role directing the High Conflict Parent Education Program, which was criticized for requiring domestic violence survivors to participate in classes alongside their alleged abusers



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-20acbd9da185f40e1f10b2b2) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts). Collected 2026-07-26.
