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Probate of Wills and Estates

Find out when it's necessary to probate an estate, what the types of probate are, and how to probate an estate.

Find information on probate, the process of transferring property and ownership after someone has died. This is different from a will, which is the document in which someone states their final requests and wishes.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

Get a copy of a will  File a formal probate for an estate  File an informal probate for an estate 

All other tasks

File a late and limited formal probate for an estate  File a voluntary administration for an estate  Get access to historic probate records  Check the status of your probate case 

What you need to know

Find out when it’s necessary to probate an estate  Learn about the types of probate for an estate  Court forms for probate of wills and estates  Find out who you must give notice to in a probate matter  Massachusetts law about wills and estates   Find out which historic probate records are available online 
Mass. Law G. L. c. 190B   Massachusetts law about estate taxation  List of newspapers for informal publication 
MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide (PDF 2.48 MB)

Contact Information

Online

Probate and Family Court locations 

Locations

A list of court locations where you can file to probate an estate

Find court locations
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