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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

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

Free · general informationMassachusetts

Voluntary administration in Massachusetts

Where Massachusetts law lets a smaller estate be settled without full probate, these are the official words on how: who may use the route, what it covers and what the paperwork must say. Whether a particular estate fits is for the court, the bank or company holding the asset, or an attorney in Massachusetts; nothing on this page decides it.

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

Every quotation checked September 28, 2026 – 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.

The statute: what the estate may hold, the wait after the death, and the sworn statement filed with the court

If a person domiciled in the commonwealth dies leaving an estate consisting entirely of personal property the total value of which may include a motor vehicle of which the decedent was the owner, and other personal property not exceeding $25,000 in value, any interested person … may, after the expiration of 30 days from the death of the decedent

provided no petition for appointment of a personal representative has been filed with the court of the county in which the decedent resided, file with said court upon a form prescribed by the court a statement, verified by oath, or affirmation

Massachusetts · general information · checked September 28, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §3-1201

The court's guide: the conditions, which court to file in, the form and the filing fee

The decedent left an estate consisting entirely of personal property valued at $25,000 or less (excluding the value of a car) regardless of date of death;

Thirty (30) days or more have passed from the date of the decedent’s death;

For a voluntary administration, proper venue is with the Probate and Family Court in the county where the decedent resided.

Form (MPC 170) Voluntary Administration Statement

Fee Alert: The filing fee is $115.00.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

Whether a voluntary personal representative receives letters of authority, and the limits on the role

Because a VPR is not appointed by a magistrate or the court, no Letters of Authority shall be issued. A VPR shall receive an attested copy of the Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170) and may request a certificate of appointment from the Register of Probate for the division in which the Voluntary Administration Statement is filed.

Note: A VPR is not appointed by a magistrate or the court. The authority of a VPR is limited by law.

A VPR may not charge a fee for his/her services.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

Who may file the statement, whether a creditor may, and the release of whoever hands over the property

The petitioner must be an interested person as defined by § 1-201(24), but does not need to be a resident of Massachusetts.

For purposes of filing a voluntary administration, a creditor is NOT an interested person

The person paying, delivering, transferring or issuing personal property or the evidence thereof pursuant to § 3-1201 to the VPR is discharged and released to the same extent as if he dealt with a PR of the decedent.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

If a person domiciled in the commonwealth dies leaving an estate consisting entirely of personal property the total value of which may include a motor vehicle of which the decedent was the owner, and other personal property not exceeding $25,000 in value, any interested person … may, after the expiration of 30 days from the death of the decedent

provided no petition for appointment of a personal representative has been filed with the court of the county in which the decedent resided, file with said court upon a form prescribed by the court a statement, verified by oath, or affirmation

Massachusetts · general information · checked September 28, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §3-1201

The decedent left an estate consisting entirely of personal property valued at $25,000 or less (excluding the value of a car) regardless of date of death;

Thirty (30) days or more have passed from the date of the decedent’s death;

For a voluntary administration, proper venue is with the Probate and Family Court in the county where the decedent resided.

Form (MPC 170) Voluntary Administration Statement

Fee Alert: The filing fee is $115.00.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

If a person domiciled in the commonwealth dies leaving an estate consisting entirely of personal property the total value of which may include a motor vehicle of which the decedent was the owner, and other personal property not exceeding $25,000 in value, any interested person … may, after the expiration of 30 days from the death of the decedent

provided no petition for appointment of a personal representative has been filed with the court of the county in which the decedent resided, file with said court upon a form prescribed by the court a statement, verified by oath, or affirmation

Massachusetts · general information · checked September 28, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §3-1201

The decedent left an estate consisting entirely of personal property valued at $25,000 or less (excluding the value of a car) regardless of date of death;

Thirty (30) days or more have passed from the date of the decedent’s death;

For a voluntary administration, proper venue is with the Probate and Family Court in the county where the decedent resided.

Form (MPC 170) Voluntary Administration Statement

Fee Alert: The filing fee is $115.00.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

Voluntary administration is a simplified probate procedure for an estate with minimal assets and no real estate.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Probate and Family Court, Form MPC 170

If a person domiciled in the commonwealth dies leaving an estate consisting entirely of personal property the total value of which may include a motor vehicle of which the decedent was the owner, and other personal property not exceeding $25,000 in value, any interested person … may, after the expiration of 30 days from the death of the decedent

provided no petition for appointment of a personal representative has been filed with the court of the county in which the decedent resided, file with said court upon a form prescribed by the court a statement, verified by oath, or affirmation

Massachusetts · general information · checked September 28, 2026 · G.L. c. 190B, §3-1201

The decedent left an estate consisting entirely of personal property valued at $25,000 or less (excluding the value of a car) regardless of date of death;

Thirty (30) days or more have passed from the date of the decedent’s death;

For a voluntary administration, proper venue is with the Probate and Family Court in the county where the decedent resided.

Form (MPC 170) Voluntary Administration Statement

Fee Alert: The filing fee is $115.00.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

Because a VPR is not appointed by a magistrate or the court, no Letters of Authority shall be issued. A VPR shall receive an attested copy of the Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170) and may request a certificate of appointment from the Register of Probate for the division in which the Voluntary Administration Statement is filed.

Note: A VPR is not appointed by a magistrate or the court. The authority of a VPR is limited by law.

A VPR may not charge a fee for his/her services.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

The petitioner must be an interested person as defined by § 1-201(24), but does not need to be a resident of Massachusetts.

For purposes of filing a voluntary administration, a creditor is NOT an interested person

The person paying, delivering, transferring or issuing personal property or the evidence thereof pursuant to § 3-1201 to the VPR is discharged and released to the same extent as if he dealt with a PR of the decedent.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide, Section 2

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