Massachusetts allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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.
FirmBoston, MA
Serves 1 county
Serves Suffolk County from Boston, representing individuals, families, family charitable trusts and professional fiduciaries. Handles estate and trust administration, gift and estate tax returns and fiduciary services, with attorneys serving as trustees or personal representatives; colleagues handle will contests and other probate controversies. Every matter is partner-led.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 303 Congress StreetBoston, MA 02210
Solo PracticeHanover, MA
Since 2008 · Serves 3 counties
Serves the South Shore, Cape Cod and Greater Boston from Hanover, with video and phone meetings available. Guides surviving family members through probate and trust and estate administration, alongside wills, trusts and estate planning. Founding attorney Danielle G. Van Ess started the firm in Hingham in 2008.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
- Office
- 51 Mill Street, No. 1Hanover, MA 02339
FirmCambridge, MA
Since 2009 · Serves 2 counties
Serves Cambridge and Boston from Cambridge. Works with personal representatives and trustees on formal and informal probate, asset collection, creditor claims, fiduciary and estate tax returns, real estate sales and distributions, and in limited instances serves as a successor professional trustee. Founded in 2009 by Anna Eckert Byrne, author of The Inheritor's Guide.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningAsset Protection
- Office
- 10 Rogers Street, Suite 118Cambridge, MA 02142
FirmWellesley, MA
Since 2004 · Serves 3 counties
Serves Norfolk and Middlesex county communities such as Wellesley, Newton, Needham and Westwood from Wellesley. Administers and settles testate and intestate estates, litigates will contests and handles the removal of fiduciaries, plus guardianships and Medicaid qualification for nursing-home residents. Founding partner Sheryl Dennis pairs estate work with family law and special needs planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
- Office
- 80 William Street, Suite 210Wellesley, MA 02481
FirmBoston, MA
Since 2000 · Serves 3 counties
Serves Suffolk County and nearby Middlesex and Norfolk communities such as Cambridge, Newton and Brookline from an office on Court Square in Boston. A tax-focused firm whose estate planning and administration practice covers wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and plans built to reduce estate taxes and avoid probate. Formed in 2000 by Walter Flowers and Jennifer Manning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax Planning
- Office
- 15 Court Square, Suite 110Boston, MA 02108
Solo PracticeBraintree, MA
Serves 6 counties
Serves Norfolk, Suffolk, Middlesex, Plymouth, Barnstable and Essex counties from Braintree. Advises personal representatives through probate and successor trustees through trust administration, and litigates will contests, undue influence claims and fiduciary disputes, including in the Probate Fiduciary Litigation Session. Anthony H. Gemma tried over 35 jury trials as a prosecutor.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 35 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 103Braintree, MA 02184
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.
