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Informal Probate Publication Notice (MPC 551) 
 Instructions to Petitioner: 

Publication must be completed within 30 days of the date of the
Informal Order.

Complete the sample Informal Probate Publication Notice form
(MPC 551) and arrange for publication (once) in a newspaper of
general circulation in both the city/town and county in which the
decedent was domiciled.  If the decedent was not domiciled in
Massachusetts, publication should take place where the
decedent last owned property.  If there is no newspaper in the
city/town in which publication must take place, then it should
take place in the nearest city/town newspaper or in a
newspaper that circulates throughout the county.

A list of newspapers designated by the Register of Probate for
each county and organized by city/town is available in the 
office of the Registry at the Court where the Informal Petition is 
on file or by visiting the Probate and Family Court website at: 
http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/courts-and-judges/courts/
probate-and-family-court/list-newspapers-informal-pub.pdf

Proof of publication does not need to be filed with the Court, but
may be requested by the Court at a later date or by any
interested person.  Please retain proof of publication for your
records.

Failure to publish may have legal consequences.  If you need 
assistance with legal decisions, you should contact an attorney.  The 
sample form and these instructions are provided as a courtesy on 
behalf of the Register of the Probate and Family Court.  Court staff 
cannot advise you on your legal obligations under the 
Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code.