What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Massachusetts?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Massachusetts estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Massachusetts is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Massachusetts lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalMGL c. 190B §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
No. An executor in Massachusetts can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Massachusetts, the executor files the estate inventory within 90 daysMGL c. 190B §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Massachusetts does not require a separate supplemental inventoryMGL c. 190B §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; an asset discovered later is reported through an amended inventory or the accounting.
In Massachusetts, estates with personal property of $25,000M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Voluntary AdministrationM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate. The test is the value of the personal property, so an inventory at fair market value is what decides eligibility.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Massachusetts lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalMGL c. 190B §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Massachusetts
Free forms for settling an estate in Massachusetts: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Massachusetts, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areG.L. c. 183, § 5AVerified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is admissible as evidence of the facts stated.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Massachusetts
Free tools for settling an estate in Massachusetts: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Massachusetts pays executors reasonable compensationM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Massachusetts has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-307 (magistrate appoints without formal hearing)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Massachusetts, the Probate and Family Court Department appoints the personal representative and the The Register of the Probate and Family Court issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableM.G.L. c. 190B §§ 3-301, 3-307 (magistrate appoints without formal hearing)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Massachusetts, creditors have 12 monthsM.G.L. c. 190B § 3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Massachusetts pays the claims in 7MGL c. 190B § 3-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Massachusetts costs an estimated $27,714No 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 Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 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 Sep 8, 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 Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Massachusetts Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Massachusetts probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.