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In Massachusetts, a formal accounting is an accounting granted through the court. An informal accounting can be made upon request. If a beneficiary requests an informal accounting directly from the administrator, the administrator is obligated to give one.

Is there a deadline to probate an estate? The general rule is that an estate has to be probated within 3 years of when the decedent died. However, this deadline doesn't apply to: A voluntary administration.

An itemized list of the estate's assets. Any funds or property received by the estate during its administration. All expenses paid by the estate, including payment to the Executor, funeral expenses, taxes, debts, etc. Any distributions to beneficiaries, already made and planned.

As a rule, gifts of a set amount of money in a will should be paid out within a year of death. If the executor isn't able to pay the legacy within that time, the beneficiaries will be entitled to claim interest.

Do I Need to Have My Will Notarized? No, in Massachusetts, it is not necessary to notarize your will to make it legal. Massachusetts does, however, allow you to make your will "self-proving." A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it.

Your surviving spouse inherits the first $200,000 of your intestate property, plus 2/3 of the balance. The rest of your property goes to your parents or other relatives in the order established by Massachusetts law.