Massachusetts Probate Attorneys
Probate attorney listings for Massachusetts by county. Each names the attorney and gives the firm’s own phone and website; you contact them directly. Listings are advertising. Settled Estate is not a law firm and does not refer, match, or recommend any attorney.
No firm is listed in Massachusetts yet. One listing per county, free while the directory fills.
Counties with no listing yet14 of 14 counties
- Barnstable County
- Berkshire County
- Bristol County
- Dukes County
- Essex County
- Franklin County
- Hampden County
- Hampshire County
- Middlesex County
- Nantucket County
- Norfolk County
- Plymouth County
- Suffolk County
- Worcester County
Do you need an attorney for probate in Massachusetts?No lawyer required
Massachusetts permits a personal representative to proceed without an attorney. Informal probate is an administrative proceeding processed by an MUPC Magistrate rather than a judge, and mass.gov's own 'File an informal probate for an estate' page is a numbered step-by-step addressed directly to the filer: begin the process and give notice, fill out the forms, gather the fees, file, post the publication notice.
Informal probate before the magistrate is the pro-se lane and can issue as soon as 7 days after death. Formal probate before a judge, contested matters, and estates with problems (a damaged will, a missing heir) are where counsel starts earning its fee.
Governing authority: No attorney requirement in the MUPC (G.L. c. 190B); the Commonwealth's own service portal walks the public through informal probate. Verified August 22, 2026.
Probate attorney fees in MassachusettsNo statutory schedule; a straightforward estate is estimated at $3,250 to $8,500
Massachusetts has no statutory attorney-fee schedule for an ordinary estate; firms bill by the hour, a flat fee, or a percentage they set themselves. The $3,250 to $8,500 figure is a Settled Estate estimate built from a stated hours band and the state's average attorney hourly rate, not a quote; a contested estate or one with real property runs higher.
Court costs are separate. Estimate them with the Massachusetts fee calculator, and see how Massachusetts compares in the cost of probate by state study.
Attorneys: one listing per county, free while the directory fills, after an eligibility check (an active, relevant practice in good standing; a check, not an endorsement). Send the firm name, the attorney’s name, the counties you serve, one sentence on the practice, and the phone and website families should use to [email protected]. A link back is welcome and never a condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Settled Estate recommend the attorneys listed for Massachusetts?
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Information current as of 2026-09-11
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 your state 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.
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