Massachusetts allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Hampshire 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, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Hampshire 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.
Solo PracticeSpringfield, MA
Serves 4 counties
Serves Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties from Springfield. Attorney Marie T. Jablonski files probate for estates of deceased persons with or without a will, handles guardianships and conservatorships, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney and MassHealth applications. She makes house calls and hospital and nursing home visits across Western Massachusetts.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- P.O. Box 80482Springfield, MA 01138
FirmSpringfield, MA
Since 1895 · Serves 2 counties
Serves the Pioneer Valley from offices in Springfield, Northampton, Amherst and Westfield. Handles probate for personal representatives, from petitioning the court on the will through the asset inventory and distribution under the will or the intestacy laws. Its estate planning and probate group is one of the largest in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTax PlanningMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 33 State StreetSpringfield, MA 01103
FirmSpringfield, MA
Serves 4 counties
Serves Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties from Springfield, Hadley, Pittsfield and Great Barrington, with an office in Boston. Its Trusts and Estates attorneys handle probate and estate administration, trust administration and trustee support services, and trust and estate litigation. Merged with the Berkshire firm Cain Hibbard & Myers on December 1, 2025.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 1500 Main Street, Suite 2700Springfield, MA 01115
FirmLongmeadow, MA
Serves 2 counties
Serves Hampden and Hampshire counties from Longmeadow, including Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham, Northampton and Amherst. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate litigation over contested wills and breaches of fiduciary duty. Michael J. Chernick is an appointed Public Administrator in Hampden County.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 171 Dwight Road, Suite 101Longmeadow, MA 01106
FirmNorthampton, MA
Since 1980 · Serves 1 county
Serves Northampton and Western Massachusetts from an office on Gothic Street. Handles trust administration, probate, Massachusetts and federal estate tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns and MassHealth applications, with estate planning on a flat-fee basis. The only Certified Elder Law Attorney practice based in Northampton.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
- Office
- 64 Gothic Street, Suite 5Northampton, MA 01060
Solo PracticeNorthampton, MA
Serves 2 counties
Serves Hampshire and Hampden counties, with offices listed in Northampton, Easthampton and Westfield and meetings by Zoom. Guides executors, heirs and trustees through Massachusetts probate: court petitions, the estate tax ID number, notice to heirs and creditors, debts and taxes, distribution and closing the estate. Also handles guardianships and special needs trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planning
- Office
- 44 State StreetNorthampton, MA 01060
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.
