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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Massachusetts

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Massachusetts?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Massachusetts. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Massachusetts is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.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 (verified on malegislature.gov, May 2026); Mass. estate tax per Ch. 50 of the Acts of 2023 (mass.gov)Verified May 14, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Massachusetts probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.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 (verified on malegislature.gov, May 2026); Mass. estate tax per Ch. 50 of the Acts of 2023 (mass.gov)Verified May 14, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Massachusetts probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $25,000 in Massachusetts may qualify for Voluntary Administration, which avoids full probate.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 (verified on malegislature.gov, May 2026); Mass. estate tax per Ch. 50 of the Acts of 2023 (mass.gov)Verified May 14, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Massachusetts probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Massachusetts probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.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 (verified on malegislature.gov, May 2026); Mass. estate tax per Ch. 50 of the Acts of 2023 (mass.gov)Verified May 14, 2026

Total probate costs in Massachusetts include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Massachusetts probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Massachusetts

Massachusetts probate attorneys charge 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 May 14, 2026 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 May 14, 2026 of estate value as reasonable compensation. The personal property inventory contributes to that total, making accurate fair market valuations important for controlling costs.

Estates with personal property under $25,000M.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-306, 3-603, 3-706, 3-715, 3-719, 3-720, 3-803, 3-1201Verified May 14, 2026 in Massachusetts may qualify for simplified procedures that avoid formal probate. Accurate valuation can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the probate need checker.

Beyond the $390M.G.L. c. 262, § 40; M.G.L. c. 262, § 4CVerified May 14, 2026 court filing fee, Massachusetts probate costs include attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication expenses — all influenced by estate value. See a full estimate with the probate calculator.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 14, 2026

Legal Sources

  • 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.

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Massachusetts Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Massachusetts probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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Build your property inventory

Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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