Probate and Family Court fee table (mass.gov) · checked 2026-10-20
Probate court fees in Massachusetts
Massachusetts charges a flat $390 to open an estate, whatever its size (petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + surcharge $15).
- 1$100,000 estate $390
- 2Fee basis Flat fee
- 3Small-estate fee $115
- 4Schedule Probate and Family Court fee table
Fee to open an estate, by value
| Estate value | Fee | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $390 | Petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + Surcharge $15 |
| $50,000 | $390 | Petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + Surcharge $15 |
| $100,000 | $390 | Petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + Surcharge $15 |
| $250,000 | $390 | Petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + Surcharge $15 |
| $500,000 | $390 | Petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + Surcharge $15 |
| $1,000,000 | $390 | Petition for formal or informal probate or appointment $375 + Surcharge $15 |
The fee is the same at every value, so a small estate pays as much as a large one to open full administration. At $100,000, 7 of the 12 fee schedules on this site charge less and 4 charge more.
Other charges in the schedule
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formal probate / adjudication of intestacy petition | $375 |
| Informal probate or appointment petition | $375 |
| Voluntary administration statement | $100 |
| Surcharge on each of the above | $15 |
| Small estate closing statement | $75 |
Source: Massachusetts Probate and Family Court filing fees, last checked 2026-10-20. Courts can add copy, certification and publication costs that are not in this schedule.
The small-estate route and its cost
Massachusetts's simplified procedure is the voluntary administration (small estate) (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201), for estates within $25,000. The schedule charges $115 for the voluntary administration statement, against $390 to open full administration of a $100,000 estate. Check the Massachusetts limit or see how long probate takes there.
What the court fee does not cover
The schedule above is only the court's own charge. Publishing notice to creditors in a newspaper, certified copies of letters, a fiduciary bond where the court requires one, appraisals and recording fees for real estate are billed separately by whoever provides them. Those notices also start Massachusetts's creditor claim period of 12 months (M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803(a)), which usually decides how soon the estate can close. Most courts can waive or defer fees for a petitioner who cannot pay; the clerk's office has the request form.
Related: probate court fees compared · what probate is · all fee schedules.
Court fees only, read from the official schedule on 2026-10-20. Not legal advice; Probate Clock does not refer anyone to lawyers. Fee waivers are usually available to people who cannot pay — ask the court clerk.