Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 217, § 21: Register; receipt of complaints, petitions, and applications

Section 21. He may at any time receive and place on file complaints, petitions and applications to the probate court or the court of insolvency, and may issue orders of notice, summonses and citations in like manner and with like effect as if issued by the judge; but if the judge considers such notice insufficient, he may order further notice.