What to Do When Someone Dies in Bristol County, Massachusetts
Probate in Bristol County runs through the Probate and Family Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Bristol County, settling their estate runs through the Probate and Family Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Probate and Family Court
Bristol County
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Departments
- Fall River Session508-672-1751
- New Bedford Session508-999-5249Open Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Closed Wednesdays.
Main registry in Taunton. Additional sessions held in Fall River and New Bedford (closed Wednesdays). Virtual Registry available. Wheelchair accessible. Public Wi-Fi available.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Bristol County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Bristol County, probate runs through the Probate and Family Court at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Massachusetts intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Massachusetts estates take 9 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 1-307Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 14 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 1-307Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to move through this process. The 12 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803Verified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Bristol County
What probate costs in Bristol County, Massachusetts comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate and Family Court at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton.
Probate matters are handled through Fall River Session and New Bedford Session. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: Original wills must be mailed or delivered to court within 5 calendar days of eFiling; Citation service requires 14 days notice when served within Commonwealth; Publication required if interested person whereabouts unknown; must publish at least 7 days before return date. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Massachusetts charges $390M.G.L. c. 262, § 40; M.G.L. c. 262, § 4CVerified Jul 14, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Probate and Family Court accepts e-filing (https://www.efilema.com/). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Massachusetts are negotiated, typically 2.2%No specific statute for general probate attorney fees; reasonable compensation subject to court review. M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-720 covers litigation expense reimbursement only.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 3.5%No specific statute for general probate attorney fees; reasonable compensation subject to court review. M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-720 covers litigation expense reimbursement only.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.23%Estimated from the 17 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 3.82%Estimated from the 17 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-603Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Massachusetts typically runs 9 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 1-307Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 14 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 1-307Verified Jul 14, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 12 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803Verified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the Probate and Family Court
Probate documents in Bristol County can be filed in person at the Probate and Family Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available.
Filings here are routed through Fall River Session and New Bedford Session. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationCan You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate and Family Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Bristol County Self-Filing Assessment.
Bristol County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Original wills must be mailed or delivered to court within 5 calendar days of eFiling.
Publication required if interested person whereabouts unknown; must publish at least 7 days before return date.
Document Requirements
Certified copies of court records cost $25.00 each.
Service Requirements
Citation service requires 14 days notice when served within Commonwealth.
What to Bring
To file at the Probate and Family Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Bristol County
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the Registry of Deeds.
Recording Office Record
Registry of Deeds
Bristol County · Register of Deeds
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $155 |
Per-document fee model, not per-page. Published statewide schedule (all-in, includes surcharges): Deed $155; Mortgage $205; Declaration of Trust $255; Declaration of Homestead $35; Mortgage Discharge/Release $105; Municipal Lien Certificate $80; UCC $75; Federal Tax Lien $5; Plans $105 per sheet; all other documents $105; copies $1 per page ($0.50 at coin-operated machines). Statutory components: $100 deed fee (M.G.L. c. 262, s. 38) + $50 CPA surcharge (M.G.L. c. 44B, s. 8), which is not charged on a declaration of homestead. Registered (Land Court) filings use the same schedule; a document affecting both recorded and registered land must be filed on both sides. Some county-run registries add $1 postage per paper document (waived for e-recording).
M.G.L. c. 262, s. 38; M.G.L. c. 44B, s. 8; M.G.L. c. 64D, s. 1
Transfer tax
Deeds excise: $2.28 per $500 of consideration (or fractional part), i.e. $4.56 per $1,000. M.G.L. c. 64D, s. 1 sets the base rate at $2.00 per $500 of consideration in excess of $100; the rate collected at the registries is $2.28 per $500. Paid by the grantor. Barnstable County is higher: $6.48 per $1,000 (state $3.42 + Barnstable County $3.06).. No municipal/local transfer taxes on top of the state deeds excise, except the Barnstable County rate ($3.06 per $1,000, Cape Cod Land Bank) that applies to Cape Cod recordings. M.G.L. c. 64D, s. 1 also excludes instruments given to secure a debt and deeds to which the Commonwealth, a city or town, or the United States is a party.
Bristol County has 3 registry districts: Northern (Taunton), Fall River, and Southern (New Bedford). This entry uses the Northern District (Taunton) as the primary registry. Paper filings carry a $1 postage fee per document unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided; e-recorded documents are exempt. Registered-land questions go to landcourt@tauntondeeds.com.
Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Bristol County
Massachusetts allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Bristol County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Massachusetts are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2.2%No specific statute for general probate attorney fees; reasonable compensation subject to court review. M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-720 covers litigation expense reimbursement only.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 3.5%No specific statute for general probate attorney fees; reasonable compensation subject to court review. M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-720 covers litigation expense reimbursement only.Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Bristol County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate and Family Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Brockton & Old Colony Firms
Frenette & Associates, P.C.
FirmBrockton elder-law firm working the Plymouth, Norfolk, and Bristol County probate courts. Concentrates on estate settlement, probate administration, and MassHealth/Medicaid planning, including asset protection for long-term care. Senior Attorney David P. Frenette gives clients direct attorney access on every matter.
Location
111 Torrey Street, Suite 1 & 2Brockton, MA 02301
Phone
(508) 587-0531
Service Area
3 counties
Law Offices of Brian E. Barreira
Solo PracticePlymouth-based estate planning and elder law firm led by a Certified Elder Law Attorney with 30+ years of experience. Selected to Massachusetts Super Lawyers for 16 consecutive years (2009-2024). Listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Board of Directors, Massachusetts Chapter of NAELA since 2019.
Location
118 Long Pond Road, Suite 206Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone
(508) 747-8282
Established
1996
Service Area
4 counties
Firms from Neighboring Regions
Baker Law Group P.C.
FirmHingham-based estate planning and elder law firm serving the South Shore and southeastern Massachusetts from four offices in Hingham, Holliston, Brockton, and Plymouth. Handles wills, trusts, probate and estate administration, MassHealth/Medicaid and VA benefits planning, asset protection, and guardianship. Led by attorney Michael Baker; the initial consultation is complimentary.
Location
72 Sharp Street, Suite A5Hingham, MA 02043
Phone
(781) 996-5656
Service Area
3 counties
Botelho Law Group
FirmFall River firm serving Bristol County and nearby Rhode Island, including Taunton and New Bedford. Handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate of estates, intestate estate administration, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, guardianship, and conservatorship. Also assists with special-needs trusts, life-estate deeds, and long-term care/Medicaid planning.
Location
901 Eastern Avenue, Unit 2Fall River, MA 02723
Phone
(508) 500-1551
Service Area
1 county
Coastal Legal Affiliates, P.C.
FirmBristol County firm offering estate planning, probate, and trust administration services with over 18 years of experience. Founded by Patrick T. Matthews. Serves clients throughout Bristol and Plymouth Counties, including Fall River, Somerset, New Bedford, Taunton, Dartmouth, Plymouth, Brockton, and Attleboro.
Location
1004 County StreetSomerset, MA 02726
Phone
(508) 687-6160
Service Area
2 counties
Coogan Smith, LLP
FirmAttleboro firm founded in 1946, the oldest in the area, serving Bristol County and southeastern New England. Its trusts, estate planning, and probate practice guides families through wills, trusts, business succession, and the probate process.
Location
144 Bank StreetAttleboro, MA 02703
Phone
(508) 222-0002
Established
1946
Service Area
2 counties
Driscoll Sanford Family Law
FirmOver 50 years of combined experience providing estate planning and elder law services in Bristol County. Attorney Driscoll opened his solo practice in 2002 after 25 years as a senior partner at a large Bristol County firm. Serves Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, and surrounding southeastern Massachusetts.
Location
209 Bedford Street, Suite 201Fall River, MA 02720
Phone
(508) 672-8718
Established
2002
Service Area
3 counties
Feingold | Bonnet-Hebert, P.C.
FirmSouthCoast community law firm founded in 1994, providing estate planning, probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust administration services. Assists with special needs trusts, settlement trusts, and long-term care planning. Serves southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Location
25 Elm Street, Suite 201New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone
(508) 999-1119
Established
1994
Service Area
2 counties
Halloran, Lukoff, Smith & Tierney, P.C.
FirmNew Bedford firm serving the legal needs of individuals and businesses throughout Bristol and Plymouth Counties for over 35 years. Emphasizes communication, persistent advocacy, and focused attention to every detail. Also licensed in Rhode Island.
Location
432 County StreetNew Bedford, MA 02740
Phone
(508) 999-1332
Service Area
2 counties
Law Offices of Jane E. Sullivan
Solo PracticeAttorney Jane E. Sullivan established her estate planning and elder law practice in Fall River in 1996 after graduating from Boston College Law School. Recognized as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer (2024-2025) with 40 years of legal experience serving Bristol County, the SouthCoast, and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Location
624 Brayton AvenueFall River, MA 02721
Phone
(508) 679-0535
Established
1996
Service Area
2 counties
Logan & Logan LLP
FirmQuincy firm serving Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Bristol County families, with 35+ years in probate practice since 1990. Handles estate asset inventory, creditor and heir notice requirements, asset distribution, and Probate and Family Court filings, plus trust and estate planning.
Location
21 Franklin Street, Third FloorQuincy, MA 02169
Phone
(617) 209-3723
Established
1990
Service Area
4 counties
Percy Law Group, PC
FirmTaunton estate planning and elder law practice serving southeastern Massachusetts, with offices in Fall River, Dartmouth, and Plymouth. Handles revocable trusts, Medicaid and long-term care planning, special needs planning, complex estate planning for business and high-value assets, and probate and estate administration. Established 1987.
Location
4 Court StreetTaunton, MA 02780
Phone
(508) 206-9900
Established
1987
Service Area
2 counties
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C.
FirmEstate planning law firm serving Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Lead partners Daniel Surprenant and Michelle Beneski are Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, 2 of only 24 CELA attorneys practicing in Massachusetts.
Location
35 Arnold StreetNew Bedford, MA 02740
Phone
(508) 994-5200
Service Area
3 counties
Albanese Law, LLC
FirmMilton-based estate planning and elder law firm serving Boston's South Shore and eastern Massachusetts from offices in Milton, Brockton, and Mashpee. Handles wills, trusts, probate and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and MassHealth/Medicaid planning, led by attorney Matthew P. Albanese. Offers a free consultation and home visits for mobility-challenged clients.
Location
487 Adams StreetMilton, MA 02186
Phone
(617) 698-2100
Bowditch & Dewey, LLP
FirmFull-service Massachusetts law firm established in 1914 with 70+ lawyers across four offices. Estate and Tax Planning group includes 12 dedicated practitioners with 24 attorneys listed in Best Lawyers in America. Ranked in Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" nationally and regionally for trusts and estates.
Location
446 Main Street, Suite 1101Worcester, MA 01608
Phone
(508) 791-3511
Established
1914
Service Area
4 counties
Statewide Practices
Casner & Edwards, LLP
FirmBoston firm whose Trusts & Estates group serves individuals, families, and charitable trusts across New England. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, gift and estate tax matters, business succession planning, charitable and planned giving, and probate litigation. Founded in 1974.
Location
303 Congress StreetBoston, MA 02210
Phone
(617) 426-5900
Established
1974
Service Area
Statewide
Cushing & Dolan, P.C.
FirmWaltham-based estate planning and tax firm serving Greater Boston from eight Massachusetts locations. Concentrates on complex estate planning for closely held business owners, gift and estate tax matters, elder law and Medicaid planning, and fiduciary litigation involving trusts, estates, and probate disputes. Founded in 1984 by Leo J. Cushing, Esq., CPA.
Location
400 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400Waltham, MA 02451
Phone
(888) 759-5109
Established
1984
Service Area
Statewide
Fletcher Tilton PC
FirmOne of Massachusetts' oldest law firms, established in 1822. The trust and estate department manages more than 250 trusts and administers over 130 estates each year, handling estates ranging from insolvent to over $40 million. Offices throughout Massachusetts including Worcester, Framingham, Boston, Cape Cod, and Providence.
Location
100 Front Street, 5th FloorWorcester, MA 01608
Phone
(508) 459-8000
Established
1822
Service Area
Statewide
KLG Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys
FirmAndover firm handling probate and trust administration across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with a second office in Rye, NH. Manages formal and informal probate, voluntary administration for small estates, trust-based settlements, beneficiary transfers, and trust and estate litigation. Founded by Thomas M. Kiley.
Location
342 North Main StreetAndover, MA 01810
Phone
(978) 788-9142
Service Area
Statewide
The Law Office of Polly Tatum
FirmWith over 24 years of experience, Attorney Polly Tatum has been serving clients in Worcester and throughout Massachusetts since 1997. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing law firms in the U.S. with an AVVO Superb rating. Featured in Worcester Business Journal. Serves all Massachusetts cities and towns, both virtually and in person.
Location
19 Cedar StreetWorcester, MA 01609
Phone
(508) 795-1557
Service Area
Statewide
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
FirmBoston Private Client practice on the Seaport, co-founded in 1879 by Louis D. Brandeis. Handles multi-generational estate planning, trust and estate administration, Probate Court proceedings, gift and estate tax planning, and business succession, serving as personal representative, trustee, and guardian for families of varying means. Band 1, Chambers High Net Worth 2025.
Location
155 Seaport Blvd.Boston, MA 02210
Phone
(617) 439-2000
Established
1879
Service Area
Statewide
RackiLaw, LLC
Solo PracticeBoston-based boutique estate planning firm founded by a former WilmerHale attorney. Has served over 1,000 families with estates ranging from $10,000 to $8 billion. Flat-fee pricing model with transparent timelines. Attorney Racki teaches Trusts & Estates at Boston University School of Law since 2023.
Location
55 Union Street, Suite 300Boston, MA 02108
Phone
(617) 285-6388
Established
2009
Service Area
Statewide
Law Office of Todd D. Beauregard, P.C.
FirmOpened practice in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2006 and has grown to include offices in Nashua NH, North Andover MA, Boston MA, and Concord MA. Led by Todd D. Beauregard with partner Shauna L. Finnegan. Provides estate planning and probate services throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Location
25 Central StreetLowell, MA 01852
Phone
(978) 275-1919
Established
2006
Service Area
Statewide
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
- Estimated from the 17 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)
- M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-603
- M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803
- M.G.L. c. 190B §§ 1-307
- M.G.L. c. 262, § 40; M.G.L. c. 262, § 4C
- No specific statute for general probate attorney fees; reasonable compensation subject to court review. M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-720 covers litigation expense reimbursement only.
Data sourced from Massachusetts statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Probate and Family Court in Bristol County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($390). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs on a $500,000 estate run about $30,739 statewide in Massachusetts. For Bristol County, that means filing fees ($390 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The Probate and Family Court in Bristol County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Massachusetts self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Massachusetts probate typically closes in 6–9 months; average estates run 9–14 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Bristol County probate.
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