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Will Contest Deadline in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, a contest of an informally probated will can be started within the later of 12 months after the informal probate or 3 years after death.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Massachusetts at a glance

Deadline to contest
12 months (or 3 years after death, if later)
Clock starts
Informal probate of the will (or date of death, if later)

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Massachusetts

How long do you have to contest a will in Massachusetts?

Deadline to contest in Massachusetts: 12 months (or 3 years after death, if later).

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Massachusetts?

Clock starts in Massachusetts: Informal probate of the will (or date of death, if later).

Where do the Massachusetts will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B, 3-108. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.