Berkshire County Probate Statistics

Use this county view to check filing-fee patterns, e-filing access, and timing signals before you rely on a probate cost estimate or start preparing a petition.

Published: January 15, 2026Updated: July 29, 2026Data quality: Medium

What This County Snapshot Covers

This page is meant to answer the fast operational questions first: what the county charges to open common probate proceedings, whether e-filing is available, how long creditor claims may run, and where to verify the court record.

Fee Rows Captured

Yes

E-Filing Available

12 mo

Creditor Claim Period

Medium

Data Quality

Official Sources to Verify

Case Search

Use the county case-search tool when you need live docket or estate-case status information. Search results may not include every probate record.

Massachusetts runs one statewide Trial Court case-search portal rather than a per-county docket. Coverage varies by court department and by date, and Probate and Family Court records carry access restrictions, so treat the portal as a lookup surface only. It is not a complete probate index, not a certified record, and not a substitute for calling the Berkshire County Register of Probate. eFileMA serves participating Trial Court departments; confirm with the register whether this division accepts an e-filed probate petition before you rely on it.

Open case search

Register of Probate Website

Go straight to the Register of Probate website for clerk notices and local instructions.

Filing Fee Schedule

Formal Administration	$390
Summary Administration	$115

Filing Options

in person

mail

efiling

E-filing portal: eFileMA (Massachusetts Trial Court electronic filing)

Filing Deadlines

Creditor Claim Period12 months

Register of Probate Information

Berkshire Probate and Family Court

44 Bank Row, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 442-6941

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Berkshire County probate fees on this page the full cost of the case?

Not necessarily. Filing fees are only one part of probate cost. Publication charges, certified copies, appraisal expenses, attorney fees, and other estate-administration costs may still apply.

What does e-filing status mean for Berkshire County probate cases?

E-filing status tells you whether the county accepts online filing and, when available in the dataset, whether attorneys are required to use it. "Not verified" means the county dataset does not record filing methods either way. In every case, check the current clerk instructions before filing.

Why might a fee or deadline be missing?

Some counties publish fees in fragmented schedules, update procedures without a clean machine-readable source, or handle certain deadlines in local instructions rather than a simple statewide field. Use the county reference page and Register of Probate website to verify anything missing.

Information current as of July 29, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Massachusetts can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.