Family and probate matters for Newburyport and the surrounding towns are heard in Salem, with some sessions in Lawrence. Your first hearing is usually a case management conference, not a trial.
Arrive early, dress as you would for a job interview, and let your attorney do the talking. Judges see hundreds of cases; the ones that go well are the ones where the paperwork is complete and the parties are prepared.
We send every client a one page guide before their first date. This post is the short version.