Skip to main content

Massachusetts Probate Forms Finder

Find the forms you need based on your situation. Massachusetts uses one statewide set of numbered MPC forms, published by the Probate and Family Court of the Trial Court under M.G.L. c. 190B, the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code. The same forms are filed in all 14 county divisions.

Massachusetts Probate Forms by Situation

Download every form free from the Probate and Family Court forms page for wills, estates, and trusts at mass.gov, or pick up printed copies at any Register of Probate. The court says the forms may not display correctly in a browser, so download them and open them in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Each MPC number below links to its own official page.

Find Forms By Your Situation

Official Resources

Download every form free from the Probate and Family Court forms page for wills, estates, and trusts at mass.gov, or pick up printed copies at any Register of Probate. The court says the forms may not display correctly in a browser, so download them and open them in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Each MPC number below links to its own official page.

Probate and Family Court forms for wills, estates, and trusts (MPC series)

The official statewide list of Massachusetts probate forms, including MPC 150, MPC 160, MPC 170, MPC 854, and MPC 850, with a separate page and PDF for each

Probate and Family Court forms (all subjects)

The subject index that also links guardianship and conservatorship forms, health care proxy forms, and the miscellaneous CJD forms

Probate and Family Court filing fees

The statewide fee schedule: $390 for a formal or informal probate petition, $115 for a voluntary administration statement, $15 per citation, $5 per summons

Probate and Family Court locations

Addresses, phone numbers, and hours for all 19 courthouses across the 14 county divisions

M.G.L. c. 190B (Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code)

The controlling statute, including voluntary administration (§ 3-1201), the inventory (§ 3-706), the one-year creditor bar (§ 3-803), and closing (§ 3-1003)

Indigency (waiver of court fees)

How to ask the Trial Court to waive or substitute the filing fee if you cannot afford it

Massachusetts RMV: surviving spouse, heirship, and inheritance

The RMV's own page on transferring a deceased owner's certificate of title, including the Affidavit of Surviving Spouse (TTL103) route

Important Notes

  • -Massachusetts uses one statewide set of numbered MPC forms under M.G.L. c. 190B, filed identically in all 14 county divisions of the Probate and Family Court
  • -Every form is free at mass.gov and at any Register of Probate. Download the PDFs and open them in Adobe Acrobat Reader, because the court warns they may not display correctly in a browser
  • -Informal and formal probate cost the SAME $375 base fee plus the $15 surcharge, so $390 either way. Choosing informal probate saves time, not money
  • -Voluntary administration is $115 and is the only genuinely cheap route, but it works only for an estate that is entirely personal property: one motor vehicle plus $25,000 or less of other personal property
  • -Massachusetts has NO notice-to-creditors form and no publication-triggered claim period. M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-801 is Reserved. The only creditor bar is 1 year from the date of death under § 3-803
  • -The MPC 551 publication runs within 30 days AFTER the informal appointment and is notice of the proceeding, not notice to creditors
  • -Two notices go out at least 7 days BEFORE the petition is filed: written notice to all heirs and devisees, and a certified-mail copy of the petition and death certificate to MassHealth
  • -Bond (MPC 801) is required whenever you seek appointment. Sureties are required unless the will waives them, all the heirs or devisees sign a waiver on MPC 455, the personal representative is a qualified bank or trust company, or the court finds sureties are not in the estate's best interests
  • -The inventory (MPC 854) is due 3 months after appointment, and the closing statement (MPC 850) cannot be filed until 6 months after appointment
  • -An intestate estate ALWAYS needs a court license to sell real estate (MPC 210). A testate estate needs one unless the probated will grants the power of sale
  • -Massachusetts has NO transfer-on-death deed for real estate and NO transfer-on-death designation on a vehicle title
  • -Massachusetts allows individuals to represent themselves in the Probate and Family Court. If the fee is a hardship, ask about an indigency waiver
  • -The mass.gov forms list prints the Closing Statement title with a typo, MCP 850. The form number is MPC 850
  • -The Military Affidavit (MPC 470) and the Citation and Return of Service (MPC 560) numbers appear on the court's own MPC 966 and MPC 967 checklists rather than on the forms list page

Sources: Probate and Family Court forms for wills, estates, and trusts | Probate and Family Court forms (subject index)

Not sure which Massachusetts forms you need?

Answer a few questions to sort the likely filing path before you pick forms or contact the Register of Probate.

Take the 2-minute assessment

You've seen what probate involves. Here's how to spare your own family.

A few simple steps (naming beneficiaries, a transfer-on-death deed where your state allows it, or a living trust) can keep your estate out of court.

See how to avoid probate in Massachusetts
How to Use Massachusetts Probate FormsWhy the filing path comes before the form number

The form finder groups records such as Voluntary Administration (Massachusetts Small Estate), Informal Probate and Appointment (With a Will), Informal Appointment (No Will, Intestate), Formal Probate and Appointment (Contested or Complicated) so you can start with the likely procedure rather than one isolated form number.

Use source links such as Probate and Family Court forms for wills, estates, and trusts (MPC series), Probate and Family Court forms (all subjects), Probate and Family Court filing fees to locate official forms and verify which documents belong in the packet.

Massachusetts Form Prep ChecksCounty packet rules and the records to gather before filing

Choose the filing path

Common filing paths in this data include Voluntary administration under M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201, Summary administration procedure, closed by verified statement under M.G.L. c. 190B, §§ 3-1203 and 3-1204, Informal probate and appointment, Informal appointment of a personal representative. Match the estate facts to the correct path before preparing forms.

Verify the county packet

Check the county Register of Probate or local filing-office instructions for coversheets, copy rules, appointments, fees, and filing methods.

Pull supporting records first

Collect the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset values, deed or title records, heir and beneficiary details, and creditor information before filling out the packet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Massachusetts probate forms?
Start with Probate and Family Court forms for wills, estates, and trusts (MPC series), Probate and Family Court forms (all subjects), Probate and Family Court filing fees. Then verify local county instructions before you file, because packet rules, copy requirements, fees, and filing methods can vary.
How do I know which Massachusetts probate form I need?
Start with the filing path, not the form number. The right packet depends on will status, asset type and value, creditor issues, heirs or beneficiaries, and whether a simplified procedure fits.
Can I file Massachusetts probate forms without an attorney?
Some paths may allow self-filing, but the answer still depends on the estate, the county office, disputes, real estate, creditors, and tax facts. Verify the county rules and get legal help when rights or strategy are unclear.
What should I gather before filling out Massachusetts probate forms?
Gather the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset and debt lists, deed or title records, beneficiary records, and names and addresses for heirs or beneficiaries.
Massachusetts Official Forms and SourcesOfficial references used for this page

Information current as of July 30, 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.

More Massachusetts Resources

Explore the rest of the Massachusetts probate hub.

Do I need probate?4 pages
Costs and money5 pages
File for probate1 page
Transfer assets4 pages
Learn and reference5 pages