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Probate in Massachusetts · 14 counties

Massachusetts Probate Courts

Estates here go through the Probate and Family Court. Pick a county on the map or search below — each record shows where to file and where every detail comes from.

Small-estate limit
$25,000
Wait 30 days
Death taxes
Yes
Estate tax over $2 million
Executor fee
Reasonable
Reasonable fee set by the court
Handwritten wills
No
Witnesses required
Plate · MA

Every Massachusetts county, on one map

Population, low → high courthouse probate office checked
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Massachusetts probate rules

Court
Probate and Family CourtIn Massachusetts, probate cases are heard by the Probate and Family Court Department across 14 divisions under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC).
Small estates
$25,000 personal property (excluding one automobile)M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201 (Voluntary Administration)
Filing the will
Must deliver will to Probate Court within 30 days of notice of death; 3-year limit for probate
Creditor claims
1 year from the date of decedent's death (strict statutory bar M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803)M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803
Executor fees
Reasonable compensation determined by court based on services rendered and estate complexity (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-719)M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-719 · calculator
Estate tax
Yes — exemption $2 millionMassachusetts imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $2 million (reformed in 2023 with a uniform $99,600 tax credit; top rate 16%).
Inheritance tax
NoneNo inheritance tax in Massachusetts.
Typical duration
9 to 15 months
Official courts site
mass.govCase search: Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access (MassCourts)

Re-checked Sept 2026 against: mass.gov

Need help with an estate in Massachusetts?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 Massachusetts courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ II · Register

All 14 counties

Sorted by population. office checked = probate office address/phone confirmed on the court's own website. courthouse mapped = located in OpenStreetMap.

#CountySeatPopulationRecord
1 Middlesex County Lowell 1,623,952 office checked
2 Worcester County Worcester 866,866 office checked
3 Essex County Salem 810,089 office checked
4 Suffolk County Boston 768,425 office checked
5 Norfolk County Dedham 727,473 office checked
6 Bristol County Taunton 581,841 office checked
7 Plymouth County Brockton 535,308 courthouse mapped
8 Hampden County Springfield 460,291 courthouse mapped
9 Barnstable County Barnstable 231,735 courthouse mapped
10 Hampshire County Northampton 162,502 courthouse mapped
11 Berkshire County Pittsfield 126,818 courthouse mapped
12 Franklin County Greenfield 70,836 county site
13 Dukes County Edgartown 20,819 courthouse mapped
14 Nantucket County Nantucket 14,444 county site
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Massachusetts probate questions

What is the small estate affidavit limit in Massachusetts?
$25,000 personal property (excluding one automobile) (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201 (Voluntary Administration)). It can be used 30 days after death. Wait 30 days after death. Voluntary administration available if decedent owned no real estate and probate personal property is $25,000 or less (excluding one car).
How are executor and administrator fees calculated in Massachusetts?
Reasonable compensation determined by court based on services rendered and estate complexity (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-719) (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-719). Courts can award more for extraordinary services, such as running a business or litigation.
What is the creditor claim deadline for estates in Massachusetts?
1 year from the date of decedent's death (strict statutory bar M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803) (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803). Claims filed after the deadline are generally barred.
Does Massachusetts recognize handwritten (holographic) wills?
No — witnesses are required. Massachusetts does NOT recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills executed in MA (requires two witnesses).
Does Massachusetts have a state estate tax or inheritance tax?
Yes, Massachusetts taxes estates above $2 million. Massachusetts imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $2 million (reformed in 2023 with a uniform $99,600 tax credit; top rate 16%). There is no inheritance tax.