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After a parent dies · Massachusetts
How probate works in Massachusetts after a parent dies
In Massachusetts, probate is generally filed in the county where the person was domiciled at death. If the person did not live in Massachusetts, probate can be filed in any county where they had property. In Massachusetts, whoever holds a will must deliver it within thirty days after learning of the death to someone who can get it probated.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- In Massachusetts, probate is generally filed in the county where the person was domiciled at death. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 190B §3-201. Checked November 2, 2026
- If the person did not live in Massachusetts, probate can be filed in any county where they had property. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 190B §3-201. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Massachusetts, whoever holds a will must deliver it within thirty days after learning of the death to someone who can get it probated. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 190B §2-516. Checked November 2, 2026
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
- Will or trust copies
- Death certificates
- Court papers naming the executor
- Accounts and property papers
- Bills and letters to close out
- Family land papers (heirs' property)
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
Coming soon to Google Play.
More for Massachusetts
- How to order a death certificate in Massachusetts
- Executor duties and deadlines in Massachusetts
- Small estates in Massachusetts: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Executor checklist: papers after a parent dies: the full guide
- How probate works after a parent dies: all states
Neighbouring states
- How probate works in Connecticut after a parent dies
- How probate works in Michigan after a parent dies
- How probate works in Maine after a parent dies
- How probate works in Minnesota after a parent dies
Questions
Where do these Massachusetts facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 190B §3-201; Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 190B §2-516. We checked that each source still says it on November 2, 2026. Rules and forms change, so open the official link and read the current version before you rely on it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. KeepMyProof is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, ask a lawyer licensed in Massachusetts or your court's self-help center.
Which papers should I keep for after a parent dies?
A good start: Will or trust copies; Death certificates; Court papers naming the executor; Accounts and property papers; Bills and letters to close out; Family land papers (heirs' property). Keep only papers you are allowed to have, write the date on each note, and keep originals somewhere safe.
How can I keep these papers private on my phone?
KeepMyProof keeps copies of the papers you already have in folders with checklists, encrypted on your phone, with no account and no ads. It is free for the first items you save. It is coming soon to Google Play.
Educational only. Not legal advice.