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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationMassachusetts

Probate in Massachusetts

What Massachusetts’s own law and courts say about probate, from how an estate comes before the court to when creditors must claim. Nothing on this page decides whether a particular estate needs probate. That question belongs to the court, or to an attorney in Massachusetts.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

Applying for informal probate: the forms, the filing fee, the notice before filing and the newspaper notice after

Petition for informal Probate of Will/Appointment of PR (MPC 150)

Fee Alert: The total filing fee is $390.00.

At least seven (7) days prior to petitioning, the petitioner must give written notice of the petitioner’s intent to file for informal probate and/or appointment of a PR.

Within 30 days after allowance of the informal probate and/or appointment, the petitioner must publish a notice once in one of the newspapers designated by the register.

Order of Informal Probate of Will and/or Appointment of PR (MPC 750)

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 3

The notice to the Division of Medical Assistance before filing, and how soon after the death the order may issue

The petitioner must give written notice at least seven (7) days prior to petitioning for informal probate or appointment by sending a copy of the signed Petition and death certificate by certified mail to the Division of Medical Assistance

the magistrate shall issue an Informal Order if at least seven (7) days have passed since decedent’s death.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 3 (MUPC §§3-306(g), 3-302, 3-303)

The limit on a creditor's action, whether or not an estate is opened

Except as provided in this chapter, a personal representative shall not be held to answer to an action by a creditor of the deceased unless such action is commenced within 1 year after the date of death of the deceased

The one-year from death limitation (which applies without regard to whether or when an estate is opened for administration)

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §3-803(a)

Filing your will with the court while you are still living, and the fee

Massachusetts does allow you to file your will with the court while you are still living. You can fill out some paperwork and pay a small fee (currently $75), and the court will keep your will safe until notified of your death. Contact your local Probate and Family Court to learn more.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Trial Court Law Libraries

Depositing a will for safekeeping: sealed and kept confidential

A will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with any court for safekeeping, under rules of the court. The will shall be sealed and kept confidential.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §2-515

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

An informal proceeding is an administrative proceeding allowed by a magistrate or a judge to probate a will or appoint a PR.

Petition for informal Probate of Will/Appointment of PR (MPC 150)

Fee Alert: The total filing fee is $390.00.

At least seven (7) days prior to petitioning, the petitioner must give written notice of the petitioner’s intent to file for informal probate and/or appointment of a PR.

Within 30 days after allowance of the informal probate and/or appointment, the petitioner must publish a notice once in one of the newspapers designated by the register.

Order of Informal Probate of Will and/or Appointment of PR (MPC 750)

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 3

Petition for informal Probate of Will/Appointment of PR (MPC 150)

Fee Alert: The total filing fee is $390.00.

At least seven (7) days prior to petitioning, the petitioner must give written notice of the petitioner’s intent to file for informal probate and/or appointment of a PR.

Within 30 days after allowance of the informal probate and/or appointment, the petitioner must publish a notice once in one of the newspapers designated by the register.

Order of Informal Probate of Will and/or Appointment of PR (MPC 750)

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 3

Petition for informal Probate of Will/Appointment of PR (MPC 150)

Fee Alert: The total filing fee is $390.00.

At least seven (7) days prior to petitioning, the petitioner must give written notice of the petitioner’s intent to file for informal probate and/or appointment of a PR.

Within 30 days after allowance of the informal probate and/or appointment, the petitioner must publish a notice once in one of the newspapers designated by the register.

Order of Informal Probate of Will and/or Appointment of PR (MPC 750)

The petitioner must give written notice at least seven (7) days prior to petitioning for informal probate or appointment by sending a copy of the signed Petition and death certificate by certified mail to the Division of Medical Assistance

the magistrate shall issue an Informal Order if at least seven (7) days have passed since decedent’s death.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 3 (MUPC §§3-306(g), 3-302, 3-303)

The petitioner must give written notice at least seven (7) days prior to petitioning for informal probate or appointment by sending a copy of the signed Petition and death certificate by certified mail to the Division of Medical Assistance

the magistrate shall issue an Informal Order if at least seven (7) days have passed since decedent’s death.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 3 (MUPC §§3-306(g), 3-302, 3-303)

Except as provided in this chapter, a personal representative shall not be held to answer to an action by a creditor of the deceased unless such action is commenced within 1 year after the date of death of the deceased

The one-year from death limitation (which applies without regard to whether or when an estate is opened for administration)

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §3-803(a)

No petition may be filed until the time for presenting creditor claims has expired (i.e., one year from the decedent’s date of death).

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Probate and Family Court, Instructions for MPC 855

Massachusetts does allow you to file your will with the court while you are still living. You can fill out some paperwork and pay a small fee (currently $75), and the court will keep your will safe until notified of your death. Contact your local Probate and Family Court to learn more.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Trial Court Law Libraries

A will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with any court for safekeeping, under rules of the court. The will shall be sealed and kept confidential.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §2-515

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