Massachusetts · Probate administration

Massachusetts Probate Creditor Deadlines and Small-Estate Rules

Massachusetts creditor actions against a personal representative are barred unless commenced within one year after death and, before that period expires, process has been served or accepted, or a notice identifying the estate, creditor, claim amount, and court has been filed with the register.

3 rules checked against governing sourcesSources checked through Jul 3, 2026Inspect the coverage gate

Answer first, sources attached

Three administration rules to check first

Creditor timing, notice procedure, and simplified-estate eligibility are state-specific. These source-linked rules are a starting point for the administration plan.

Claims deadline

Creditor claim period

Massachusetts creditor actions against a personal representative are barred unless commenced within one year after death and, before that period expires, process has been served or accepted, or a notice identifying the estate, creditor, claim amount, and court has been filed with the register.

M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Procedure threshold

Small-estate procedure

Massachusetts voluntary administration is available when a domiciliary decedent leaves an estate consisting entirely of personal property, which may include one motor vehicle, and other personal property not exceeding $25,000. The statement may be filed after 30 days from death if no petition for appointment of a personal representative has been filed in the decedent's county of residence.

M.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Publication and service

Notice to creditors

Massachusetts does not have a separate UPC creditor-publication rule in section 3-801 because that section is reserved. Informal probate notice is still required: the petitioner gives written notice seven days before petitioning to heirs, devisees, equal or prior appointees, and any unterminated personal representative, and publishes notice once in a designated county newspaper not more than 30 days after informal probate or appointment.

M.G.L. c. 190B, §§ 3-801, 3-803, 3-306.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

What changes the answer

The statewide rule is the starting point

  • Date and type of appointmentLetters, qualification, and the form of administration can change the trigger.
  • Known versus unknown creditorsPublication and direct notice may create different duties and deadlines.
  • Property included in the thresholdExempt property, real estate, and nonprobate assets may be treated differently.
  • Local court procedureForms, publication practice, hearing calendars, and closing requirements can be county-specific.

Read the public guide

Understand the broader process and the records worth organizing first.

Browse related guides

Go deeper on deadlines, evidence, forms, and the practical workflow.

Find licensed help

Use public directories to find a lawyer who can apply the rules to a specific matter.

For probate attorneys

Turn the rule into a visible administration plan

DocketBuddy connects notice, claim periods, inventory, accounting, distributions, and closing exceptions to the same matter record.

Open a sample probate brief Watch Ready check a sample packet

This page reports source-linked state rules and review dates. It does not calculate a deadline, determine eligibility, select a procedure, value a claim, or apply law to an individual situation. Verify the cited authority, local procedure, and current law before relying on a rule.