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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 

All other tasks

File an informal probate for an estate  File a late and limited formal probate for an estate  File a voluntary administration for an estate  Get access to historic probate records 

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 is entitled to notice in a probate proceeding  Massachusetts law about wills and estates   Find out which historic probate records are available online 

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

More Information

Additional Resources

Mass. Law G. L. c. 190B
Massachusetts law about estate taxation
MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide (PDF 2.48 MB)
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