About Informal Probate Publication Notice
To publish notice that a will has been admitted to informal probate and a personal representative has been appointed to administer the estate.
When you'd use it: When a will is admitted to informal probate in Massachusetts and notice must be given to all interested parties in the estate.
Where to get the official form
Informal Probate Publication Notice 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 Informal Probate Publication Notice in Massachusetts
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Informal Probate Publication Notice (MPC 551 (3/19/12)) when when a will is admitted to informal probate in Massachusetts and notice must be given to all interested parties in the estate. 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 Informal Probate Publication Notice 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 Informal Probate Publication Notice 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).