Massachusetts Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit

Dena Standley | August 07, 2023

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Do you have a pending debt collection case in Massachusetts and find yourself wondering how to keep track of it? Massachusetts gives you access to court records online or by visiting the courthouse where the debt collection agency filed the lawsuit. Accessing your case records will help you ensure the following:

• The information filed is accurate. If not, you can use it as an affirmative defense, and the case may go in your favor.
• Your Answer document was received and updated in the court’s system.
• You take note of the next step and learn details such as the court date, courtroom number, the judge involved, and which documents you need to have.

This article will help you learn more about the Massachusetts court structure and how to navigate the court system to access your case records.

Sued for debt in Massachusetts? SoloSettle can help you settle your debts for good.

Court structure in Massachusetts

When you know which Massachusetts court has jurisdiction over your case, it will make it easier to check your case status and stay informed. Since debt collection lawsuits are considered civil cases, we will focus on the Massachusetts civil court structure in this section.

The civil court structure in Massachusetts is made up of four levels: the Supreme Court, Appeals Court, Superior Court, and District Court/Boston Municipal Court. Let's briefly discuss each level:

• Supreme Judicial Court: Massachusetts Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state and hears a wide range of civil and criminal appeals from the lower courts. They also run the court system by making and approving rules for court operations.


• Appeals Court: Known as the intermediate appellate court, this court has general jurisdiction over cases from the lower courts. They review judgments from Superior Court, District Court, and Boston Municipal Court and do not hold a new trial.


• Superior Court: This trial court has general jurisdiction in Massachusetts. It also has original jurisdiction over civil actions involving claims of over $50,000.


• District Court: This court hears all types of cases, including civil actions in which damages do not exceed $50,000 and small claims cases of up to $7,000.


• Boston Municipal Court: This court hears civil cases arising from Boston. Cases include tort and contract issues of up to $25,000 and small claims not exceeding $7,000.

The graphic below further illustrates the Massachusetts court structure:

Your debt collection case will be heard in the Boston Municipal Court if you are a resident of Boston and the District Court in all counties, unless it involves more than $50,000, in which case it will be assigned to the Superior Court. You can represent yourself during the hearing, but you should research what to say or not say in front of a judge and what documents to file or bring with you.

In Massachusetts, you have 20 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit before you lose automatically. Use SoloSuit to draft and file an Answer document in minutes. Check out this video to learn more:

How to find your case number in Massachusetts

Knowing your case number will ease the task of locating your court records in Massachusetts. Court clerks are in charge of all documents and use numbers, letters, and characters to assign a number to each case. You might be wondering, “how are court case numbers assigned in Massachusetts?” Well, the case number is made up of the two-digit year, two-digit court code, two-letter code derived from the case type, and a six-digit sequence number.

For example, 2251CV000001 is the first civil case filed into Waltham District Court in 2022. To figure out your court’s code, check out this link to Massachusetts Trial Court Codes.

If you do not know your case number, you can get it by visiting the courthouse with basic case information such as party names and the type of case. The clerk will retrieve the case number for you. You can also find your case number online by using the Massachusetts trial court case access and the name or case search option. The case number will appear with other details.

How to access your case records in Massachusetts

By now, you may already know the courthouse where the collection agency filed your lawsuit. That is usually the first step in the process of finding your records. Next, you can decide if you want to access them online or in person.

Access your Massachusetts court records in person

The in-person method of accessing your records guarantees you’ll be given all your documents. In some instances, online access only provides basic case details, and the rest of the information may follow later.

To find your court’s location, go to the Massachusetts Court System Locations page and search by city, town, or zip code. You can also go through the list until you find the District Court mentioned in the lawsuit letter.

Once in the courthouse, you'll be required to complete a request form, and the court clerk will look for the records. Some courthouses have public terminals that allow you to find your documents in their systems without speaking to a clerk. You will be asked to pay a small fee for any copies and certification.

Access your Massachusetts court records online

Online access is the quickest and easiest way to find your case documents, especially if you know your case number. The online portal contains records for the fourteen counties in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access tool is easy to use as the details required are listed for you to choose from. Once on the portal, you must first enter the court department, division, and location before the search options appear.

There are three search options to choose from for small claims cases. They include:

• Name search: Enter the part names, case type, case status, and party types.
• Case type search: Enter the filing date, case type, city/town, case status, and party type.
• Case number search: Enter the case number only.

Let's look at a practical example.

SoloSuit can help

At SoloSuit, we are committed to helping consumers, like you, have a winning chance in dealing with debt collectors. We developed software that customizes debt-related legal documents acceptable in all states, including Massachusetts. Our documents include a Debt Validation Letter, Answer, Motion to Compel Arbitration, and SoloSettle. Start working on your document with us today.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court