---
title: "Susan L. Jacobs | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/susan-l-jacobs-massachusetts-probate-family-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Susan L. Jacobs

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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Initially appointed as an Associate Justice in Norfolk County and later split her time between Norfolk and Bristol County

### Education


### Additional information

- The First Justice of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, appointed in 2013 by former Governor Deval Patrick, with a background in domestic relations litigation and community service
- She has received multiple awards, including the Pro Bono Publico Award (2012) and the Community Service Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association (2011)
- Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Jacobs has also served on boards such as the CFIDS Association of America, New Hope, Inc., Brown Hillel Foundation, and the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, where she was named Big Sister of the Year in 1994



## 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.