How Can You Check on a Probate Claim in Massachusetts?
Probate claims are the formal court proceedings that allow the personal representative of an estate to account for the debts and assets of a decedent and make distributions to beneficiaries and creditors. Checking on a probate claim is not difficult, and there are several avenues available to determine the status of the probate claim in Massachusetts.
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Instructions
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Locate the will of the decedent. The will should identify the personal representative of the estate, also known as the executor, and should provide the contact information of this individual. If the decedent died without a will, determine the personal representative of the estate by contacting the family of the decedent.
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Contact the personal representative of the estate and inquire about the status of the probate claim. In Massachusetts, probate generally takes between nine months and 2.5 years. During this time, the personal representative has the task of handling the estate, so she should know the details and status of the probate claim.
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Determine the court in Massachusetts where the probate claim was filed. Contact the court or search online to determine whether the court has an online docket search that would allow you to search probate dockets by name.
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Search for the probate claim you wish to inquire about by searching for the decedent's name or the names of any beneficiaries or other individuals who might be listed on the docket. If the court in Massachusetts does not have a searchable docket or the docket is only searchable by docket number, you need to make other arrangements.
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Contact the department of court records or prothonotary of the probate division where the probate claim of interest is filed. In Massachusetts, probate is filed at the county level. Provide the name of the decedent as well as the personal representative of the estate. Ask how you can obtain a copy of the probate docket or what the current status of the claim is.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can determine the attorney handling the estate, you may also contact him for information about the status of the claim. The following counties allow you to order probate information online: Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk (Boston) and Worcester.
Do not limit your search by only searching for the name of the decedent. Broaden your search to include the names of any relatives or heirs to increase your chances of locating the appropriate information.
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