What to Do When Someone Dies in Nantucket County, Massachusetts
Probate in Nantucket 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 Nantucket 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
Nantucket County
Address
16 Broad Street, 2nd FloorNantucket, MA 02554Mailing: P.O. Box 1116, Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone
Fax
508-228-3662
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing optional
Serves Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and Muskeget islands. Located 30 miles south of Cape Cod, accessible only by boat or plane. Limited time-zoned parking around court building. Lawyer for the day service once a month (call ahead).
Verified June 2, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Nantucket 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 Nantucket, probate runs through the Probate and Family Court at 16 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Nantucket.
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 §§ 3-301, 3-306, 3-603, 3-706, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-803, 3-1201Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 14 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-306, 3-603, 3-706, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-803, 3-1201Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to move through this process. The 12 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803Verified Jun 19, 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 Nantucket County
What probate costs in Nantucket 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 16 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Nantucket.
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 Jun 19, 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%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 Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%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 Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Massachusetts requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
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 Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Massachusetts typically runs 9 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-306, 3-603, 3-706, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-803, 3-1201Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 14 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-306, 3-603, 3-706, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-803, 3-1201Verified Jun 19, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 12 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803Verified Jun 19, 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 Nantucket 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.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
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 Nantucket County Self-Filing Assessment.
Nantucket 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 Nantucket 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
Nantucket County · Register of Deeds
Address
16 Broad StreetNantucket, MA 02554
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Recording: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:45 PM
E-recording
Available via Simplifile
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $100 |
| Community Preservation Act (CPA) SurchargeRequiredall_recorded_documentsM.G.L. c. 44B, s. 8: $50 surcharge on each document recorded at the registry of deeds. Effective Dec 31, 2019 (increased from $20). Exempt: homestead declarations under c. 188, and certain administrative filings (additional lots on plans, indexing instruments, certificates of sewer assessments, old age assistance liens, duplicates, and photocopies). | $50 |
Massachusetts uses a per-document fee model, not per-page. Deed recording: $100 + $50 CPA surcharge = $150 total. Mortgage recording: $150 + $50 CPA surcharge = $200 total. Homestead declaration: $30 (CPA surcharge exempt). Trust declaration: $200 + $50 CPA surcharge = $250 total. Each additional reference (assignment, discharge, release, subordination): $50. Copy fees: $1/page or $0.50/page from coin-operated machines.
M.G.L. c. 262, s. 38; M.G.L. c. 44B, s. 8; M.G.L. c. 64D, s. 1
Transfer tax
$2.00 per $500 (or fractional part) of consideration in excess of $100 ($4.56 per $1,000 effective rate). M.G.L. c. 64D, s. 1. Tax is paid by the grantor. Barnstable County has a reduced rate of $1.50 per $500.. Massachusetts does not impose local transfer taxes beyond the state deeds excise. Barnstable County has a reduced excise rate of $1.50 per $500 per M.G.L. c. 64D, s. 1. The excise does not apply to deeds where the United States, the Commonwealth, or a municipality is a party.
Serves Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and Muskeget islands. Accessible only by boat or plane.
Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Nantucket County
Massachusetts allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Nantucket 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%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 Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%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 Jun 19, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Nantucket 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.
Nantucket Firms
Cohen & Cohen Law PC
FirmNantucket Island firm run by partners Jennifer and Steven Cohen, serving year-round and seasonal property owners. Estate planning practice covers drafting of wills, trusts, and health care documents, plus formation of trusts, corporations, and LLCs for island residents and small businesses.
Location
34 Main Street, 2nd FloorNantucket, MA 02554
Phone
(508) 228-0337
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningWills Trusts
Visit site
Glidden & Glidden, P.C.
FirmNantucket law firm handling estate planning, estate administration, living trusts, probate, and real estate matters. Attorney Jessie M. Brescher recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for estate planning and probate.
Location
37 Centre StreetNantucket, MA 02554
Phone
(508) 228-0771
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsTrust Administration
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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
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsGuardianship ConservatorshipTrust Administration
Visit site
Firms from Neighboring Regions
Cape Cod Elder Law Associates, P.C.
FirmBarnstable County firm providing estate, trust, Medicaid, and elder law planning services to clients of all ages, with a particular focus on the needs of older and disabled individuals and their families. Founded by four partners with deep roots in the Cape Cod legal community.
Location
5 Main StreetCotuit, MA 02635
Phone
(774) 602-5056
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningElder LawWills TrustsProbate AdministrationMedicaid PlanningTrust Administration
Visit site
Case Estate Law, P.C.
FirmServes individuals and families across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Specializes in customized estate planning, high-net-worth estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning for long-term care, probate and trust administration, and asset protection.
Location
1645 Falmouth Road, Suite 1ECenterville, MA 02632
Phone
(508) 790-3050
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningElder LawWills TrustsProbate AdministrationMedicaid PlanningAsset Protection
Visit site
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
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax PlanningAsset ProtectionBusiness SuccessionGuardianship ConservatorshipProbate Litigation
Visit site
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
Estate PlanningTax PlanningTrust AdministrationAsset ProtectionBusiness SuccessionElder LawMedicaid Planning
Visit site
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
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningTrust Administration
Visit site
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
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationAsset ProtectionProbate Litigation
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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
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder LawElder MediationMedicaid Planning
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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
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionGuardianship Conservatorship
Visit site
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
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax Planning
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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
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsLiving Wills
Free consultationVisit site
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
- M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-603
- M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803
- M.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-306, 3-603, 3-706, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-803, 3-1201
- 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 Nantucket 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 usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Nantucket 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 Nantucket 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 Nantucket County probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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