Probate cost · Massachusetts
Probate cost in Massachusetts
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Massachusetts costs about $23,555 to $37,175 for a $500,000 estate. The Probate and Family Court charges $375 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under § 3-1201. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $680-$4,300.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Massachusetts, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $375 | Probate and Family Court filing fee for formal probate. Informal probate is $375. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $80 - $300 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | $200 - $2,500 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $400 - $1,500 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $12,500 on $500k | §3-719: reasonable compensation, no statutory percentage. Practitioners commonly bill 2-3% of the estate. |
| Attorney fee | $10,000 - $20,000 on $500k | Attorney fees are reasonable, typically 2-4% of the estate. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Massachusetts across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Massachusetts has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $10,055 - $17,675 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $23,555 - $37,175 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $46,055 - $69,675 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Massachusetts
- If the estate is under $25,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Probate and Family Court probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $200-$2,500 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Massachusetts?
Total probate cost in Massachusetts for a $500,000 estate typically runs $23,555 to $37,175. A $200,000 estate costs about $10,055-$17,675, a $1M estate $46,055-$69,675. Court filing alone is $375.
Who pays probate fees in Massachusetts?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Probate and Family Court filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under § 3-1201.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($25,000 in Massachusetts). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Massachusetts?
§3-719: reasonable compensation, no statutory percentage. Practitioners commonly bill 2-3% of the estate.
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Probate and Family Court at the end, typically 10 months after opening the estate.
Where in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, probate fees are paid at the Probate and Family Court in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
Middlesex County
Probate and Family Court - courthouse in Cambridge
- County seat
Worcester County
Probate and Family Court - courthouse in Worcester
- County seat
Essex County
Probate and Family Court - courthouse in Salem
Every Massachusetts county has its own Probate and Family Court clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Massachusetts
Related: Probate in Massachusetts · Cost calculator · Probate timeline