About Petition for Formal Probate of a Will, Adjudication of Intestacy, Appointment of a Personal Representative
To initiate formal probate proceedings in Massachusetts by petitioning for probate of a will, adjudication of intestacy, and/or appointment of a personal representative.
When you'd use it: When an estate must be opened in probate court and the petitioner seeks formal administration, including probate of a will or determination of intestacy succession.
Where to get the official form
Petition for Formal Probate of a Will, Adjudication of Intestacy, Appointment of a Personal Representative is published through the Massachusettscourts' official forms page. Open it to find and download the current version directly from the court rather than a third-party copy:
Official court source
Open the official Massachusetts forms page →
Source: courtforms.jud.state.ma.us
Link last checked: June 27, 2026
How to file Petition for Formal Probate of a Will, Adjudication of Intestacy, Appointment of a Personal Representative in Massachusetts
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Petition for Formal Probate of a Will, Adjudication of Intestacy, Appointment of a Personal Representative (MPC 160) when when an estate must be opened in probate court and the petitioner seeks formal administration, including probate of a will or determination of intestacy succession. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Massachusetts probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Petition for Formal Probate of a Will, Adjudication of Intestacy, Appointment of a Personal Representative carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Petition for Formal Probate of a Will, Adjudication of Intestacy, Appointment of a Personal Representative to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Massachusetts county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).