What does Massachusetts require in an estate inventory, and by when?
Within three months of appointment, the personal representative must prepare an inventory listing each item of personal property with its fair market value as of the date of death and any encumbrances (G.L. c. 190B section 3-706). Massachusetts does not force a court filing: the representative may file with the Probate and Family Court or mail the inventory to interested persons.
Does a successor personal representative in Massachusetts reuse the original values?
No, and this rule surprises people: a successor must prepare a new inventory valued as of the date of the successor's own appointment, not the date of death. Assets that moved in value between the two dates get fresh numbers, which often means a second round of appraisals for art, vehicles, or business interests.
What small estate procedures does Massachusetts offer?
Voluntary Administration handles estates with no real estate and personal property of $25,000 or less, excluding one motor vehicle; Summary Administration is available when the estate does not exceed exempt property, the family allowance, and administration costs. Both reduce formality, but honest values still determine eligibility.
Must a Massachusetts probate appraisal be sworn before a court-appointed appraiser?
No. The appraisal duty sits with the personal representative under c. 190B section 3-706, who may, at discretion, employ one or more qualified, disinterested appraisers, including different appraisers for different asset types. Claims that a separate statute requires sworn court appraisals reflect the superseded pre-MUPC framework.