What to Do When Someone Dies in Essex County, Massachusetts
Probate in Essex 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 Essex 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
Essex County
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Departments
- Lawrence Session978-686-9692Registry closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM daily.
Serves all Essex County communities from Salem and Lawrence locations. Historic records dating to 1638. Virtual Registry 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Wheelchair accessible. Public WiFi available. Lawrence session hours: Monday and Wednesday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Tuesday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; registry closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM daily.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Essex 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 Essex County, probate runs through the Probate and Family Court at 36 Federal Street, Salem.
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 Essex County
What probate costs in Essex 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 36 Federal Street, Salem.
Probate matters are handled through the Lawrence 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 Essex 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 the Lawrence 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 Essex County Self-Filing Assessment.
Essex 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 Essex 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
Essex 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.
Essex County has 2 registry districts: Southern (Salem/Beverly) and Northern (Lawrence). This entry uses the Southern District as the primary registry, whose main office is the Beverly (Cummings Center) location; a Salem office operates at 35 Congress Street, Suite 2100A, Salem, MA 01970. Historic records dating to 1640.
Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Essex County
Massachusetts allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Essex 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 Essex 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.
Boston Metro Firms
Curley Law Firm LLP
FirmEstate planning and elder law firm in Wakefield with two Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) among only about two dozen in Massachusetts. Attorneys bring over 50 years of combined experience exclusively focused on estate planning and elder law matters.
Location
1 Common StreetWakefield, MA 01880
Phone
(781) 245-2222
Service Area
4 counties
Jordan & White, LLC
FirmNorth Shore estate planning and real estate firm serving families with wills, trusts, pour-over wills, probate, and trust administration. WealthCounsel member and Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts member.
Location
491 Maple Street, Unit 106Danvers, MA 01923
Phone
(978) 744-2811
Service Area
3 counties
Law Office of Frank V. Grimaldi, PC
Solo PracticeCambridge-based practice led by attorney Frank V. Grimaldi, who has practiced probate law and civil litigation for over 25 years since graduating from Northeastern School of Law in 1994. Handles estate planning, will contests, probate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, Medicaid planning, and supplemental needs trusts.
Location
875 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 31Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone
(617) 876-1111
Service Area
4 counties
Monteforte Law, P.C.
Solo PracticeEstate planning and elder law firm in Woburn specializing in estate plans for high-income earners, high-net-worth families, and business owners. Also helps retirees with trusts, Medicaid planning, and asset protection from long-term care costs. Offers virtual consultations statewide.
Location
300 Tradecenter, Suite 6750Woburn, MA 01801
Phone
(978) 657-7437
Established
2006
Service Area
4 counties
Nigro, Pettepit & Lucas, LLP
FirmWakefield and Newburyport firm practicing before the Middlesex and Essex Probate Courts. Handles estate and trust administration, will contests, probate and trust litigation, and partition proceedings, alongside elder law and estate planning. Founded in 1945; principal Janice C. Nigro leads the trusts and estates work.
Location
649 Main StreetWakefield, MA 01880
Phone
(781) 245-4545
Established
1945
Service Area
2 counties
North Shore Elder Law & Estate Planning
FirmNorth Shore boutique practice focused on elder law and estate planning, serving seniors and families through life transitions. Founded by Michael A. Stankavish, a Super Lawyers Rising Star annually since 2013 and former co-chair of the Elder Law & Disability Committee of the Boston Bar Association.
Location
610-A Main StreetMelrose, MA 02176
Phone
(781) 979-9050
Service Area
2 counties
Porcello Law Offices
FirmServes Essex County from offices in Salem and Gloucester. Founded by A. John Porcello, the practice is now run by attorneys Jean G. Porcello-Giusto and Anthony S. Porcello. Over 50 years of combined experience.
Location
271 Lafayette StreetSalem, MA 01970
Phone
(978) 338-7854
Service Area
1 county
Rudolph Friedmann LLP
FirmFull-service Boston law firm focusing on will drafting, trust drafting, will review, trust review, Medicaid, gifting, living wills, guardianship, and health care. Located in Boston's Financial District at 92 State Street since 1985, with an additional office in Marblehead. Jon Friedmann and Casey Sack selected for Boston Magazine's 2025 Top Lawyers List.
Location
92 State StreetBoston, MA 02109
Phone
(617) 723-7700
Established
1985
Service Area
4 counties
The Beliveau Law Group, LLC
FirmWaltham firm serving Greater Boston and the broader Commonwealth, with additional offices in Florida and New Hampshire. Handles estate planning, probate and trust administration, asset protection, and MassHealth/Medicaid planning, plus federal and Massachusetts estate tax work. Led by David M. Beliveau, both an Esq. and CPA, anchoring the firm's tax and elder-law practice.
Location
2 Winter Street, Suite 102Waltham, MA 02451
Phone
(781) 890-8600
Established
2001
Service Area
5 counties
The Heritage Law Center, LLC
Solo PracticeWoburn-based estate planning and elder law firm led by Matthew G. Karr, Esq. Takes a personalized approach to estate planning with flat-fee billing and offers a complimentary 3-year review of drafted documents. Serves clients across Middlesex County, Essex County, and the greater Boston area.
Location
400 Trade Center Drive, Suite 7810Woburn, MA 01801
Phone
(617) 299-6976
Service Area
3 counties
The Marques Law Firm, PLLC
Solo PracticeBoston-based estate planning firm founded by Michael M. Marques, focusing on generational wealth preservation through wills, trusts, probate administration, and business succession planning. Admitted to practice in both Massachusetts and New York federal and state courts, including the U.S. Tax Court.
Location
867 Boylston Street, 5th Floor, Suite 1881Boston, MA 02116
Phone
(617) 735-7474
Service Area
4 counties
Vidoli Couture, LLP
FirmSomerville-based elder law and estate planning firm providing compassionate legal guidance with a strong focus on special needs planning and MassHealth/Medicaid matters. Both partners named to Super Lawyers.
Location
265 Medford Street, Suite 301Somerville, MA 02143
Phone
(617) 874-1900
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
Firms from Neighboring Regions
Cannon Murray Law, LLC
FirmServes estate planning and probate clients across Essex County and Cape Ann, including Beverly, Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester, Danvers, Rockport, Essex, and Peabody. Offers specialized services including special needs planning and Medicaid crisis planning.
Location
224 Washington StreetGloucester, MA 01930
Phone
(978) 989-9999
Service Area
1 county
Connolly & Connolly
FirmOver 60 years serving the legal needs of individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations in the Newburyport area. Estate planning practice includes complex estate plans with marital and credit shelter trusts, elder law, and probate. Located in a restored circa 1806 Federal period building in historic downtown Newburyport.
Location
51 Green StreetNewburyport, MA 01950
Phone
(978) 961-0047
Service Area
1 county
DiFruscia Law Offices
FirmMerrimack Valley law firm founded by Anthony DiFruscia in 1967, with over 50 years of legal practice. Estate planning attorneys help clients protect assets, navigate tax laws, and plan for the transfer of wealth to future generations. Serves Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen, and surrounding communities in Essex County.
Location
302 Broadway, Suite 3Methuen, MA 01844
Phone
(978) 208-2566
Established
1967
Service Area
2 counties
Finneran & Nicholson, P.C.
FirmDeveloping estate and business succession plans for clients since 1984. Founder previously practiced at Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York and Bingham McCutchen LLP in Boston. Eight lawyers providing services across the Merrimack Valley, North Shore, and Greater Boston.
Location
30 Green StreetNewburyport, MA 01950
Phone
(978) 462-1514
Established
1984
Service Area
4 counties
Poppy Legal Group, LLC
Solo PracticeManchester-by-the-Sea practice serving Essex County and the Cape Ann North Shore (Beverly, Gloucester, Salem, Rockport, Ipswich). Handles wills, revocable and special needs trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, deeds, homestead protection, guardianships, and trust funding. Founder Lindsey E. Egan offers full representation or behind-the-scenes drafting.
Location
4 Summer Street, Unit 1Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
Phone
(978) 526-0485
Service Area
1 county
The Bernardin Law Firm, P.C.
Solo PracticeBeverly firm serving Essex County and greater Boston in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and fiduciary income and estate tax matters. Handles probate administration, business succession, elder law, and asset protection. Led by Peter E. Bernardin, both an attorney and a CPA, giving the firm a tax-focused edge on estate and trust accounting over 20+ years of practice.
Location
100 Cummings Center, Suite 217CBeverly, MA 01915
Phone
(978) 712-4378
Service Area
1 county
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
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
Estate Preservation Law Offices
FirmWorcester boutique firm handling Probate and Family Court estate administration alongside its core asset-protection practice. Partners Brendan J. King and Linda T. Cammuso administer estates and trusts, settle MassHealth estate-recovery claims, run guardianship and conservatorship cases, and prepare estate tax returns. Branch offices in Braintree, Leominster, and Hyannis.
Location
71 Elm Street, Suite 100Worcester, MA 01609
Phone
(508) 751-5010
Service Area
3 counties
Hera Law Group
FirmMassachusetts boutique law firm with a Nantucket office providing estate planning, probate law, guardianship and conservatorship, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and estate and trust administration. Also serves Cape Cod and greater Massachusetts.
Location
34 Main StreetNantucket, MA 02554
Phone
(978) 637-2048
Service Area
5 counties
Long Hagan Huff-Harris
FirmEdgartown office of a multi-location Massachusetts firm serving Martha's Vineyard (Dukes County) and the South Shore. Handles estate and tax planning, trust drafting, and estate administration, with partner Sean Hagan bringing a tax-law focus. Additional offices in Boston, Brookline, Duxbury, and Hingham.
Location
12 Mariners WayEdgartown, MA 02539
Phone
(617) 752-2654
Service Area
4 counties
Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP
FirmWorcester firm founded in 1916, one of Central Massachusetts' largest. Its Trusts and Estates group handles estate and gift tax planning, trust administration, special-needs planning, and guardianships, and has ranked Tier 1 for trusts and estates in the Worcester/Springfield area for over a decade. Several attorneys are ACTEC Fellows; offices in Worcester, Westborough, and Boston.
Location
100 Front StreetWorcester, MA 01608
Phone
(508) 791-8500
Established
1916
Service Area
3 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 Essex 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 Essex 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 Essex 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 Essex County probate.
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