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After a parent dies · Massachusetts
Small estates in Massachusetts: collecting a parent's property without full probate
Massachusetts voluntary administration can be used once at least 30 days have passed since the death. In Massachusetts, voluntary administration is for estates made up only of personal property worth $25,000 or less, not counting certain exclusions. The Massachusetts voluntary administration statement has a $100 filing fee plus a $15 surcharge.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- Massachusetts voluntary administration can be used once at least 30 days have passed since the death. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Voluntary Administration Statement. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Massachusetts, voluntary administration is for estates made up only of personal property worth $25,000 or less, not counting certain exclusions. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Voluntary Administration Statement. Checked November 2, 2026
- The Massachusetts voluntary administration statement has a $100 filing fee plus a $15 surcharge. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Massachusetts, you can mail the voluntary administration forms and fees to the Probate and Family Court in the county where the person lived. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. 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
- How probate works in Massachusetts after a parent dies
- Executor checklist: papers after a parent dies: the full guide
- Small estates: collecting a parent's property without full probate: all states
Neighbouring states
- Small estates in Connecticut: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Small estates in New York: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Small estates in Rhode Island: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Small estates in Vermont: collecting a parent's property without full probate
Questions
Where do these Massachusetts facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Voluntary Administration Statement; Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. 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.