What does it mean that the will was admitted to informal probate?

It means the court accepted the will and the named personal representative can administer the estate without routine court supervision.

Who is the personal representative and what can they do?

Ellen J. Cross of Watertown is the personal representative; she can collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate per the will.

Can I challenge the administration or request court involvement?

Yes; interested parties may petition the Probate Court to initiate formal proceedings or seek orders about the estate.

Probate — Watertown (MI26P2212)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Will

Affects:HeirsCreditorsGeneral Public

The will of Janet A. Cross (d. 07/15/2025) has been admitted to informal probate in Middlesex Probate and Family Court, with Ellen J. Cross of Watertown named personal representative. The estate will be administered informally under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code.

Key Takeaways

Will admitted to informal probate
Personal representative: Ellen J. Cross of Watertown
Estate administered without court supervision
Interested parties may petition the court
No inventory or accounts required to be filed

Published: May 20, 2026 · yesterday
Category: Probate
City: Watertown
Case #

MI26P2212

Research context

2 probate notices in Watertown (last 12 months)

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All filings for #MI26P2212 with AI case analysis

If you don't respond

If interested persons do not act, the estate will continue to be administered informally without court oversight; they forfeit the chance to request formal proceedings or seek court orders related to distribution and administration.

What to do next

1
Contact the personal representative
Reach out to Ellen J. Cross in Watertown to request notice of administration and information about estate assets and distributions.
2
File a petition if you object
Before taking other action, petition Middlesex Probate and Family Court (Docket No. MI26P2212) to request formal proceedings or relief.
3
Check for creditor claims
If you are a creditor, identify and submit any claim promptly to the personal representative to preserve recovery rights.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean that the will was admitted to informal probate?: It means the court accepted the will and the named personal representative can administer the estate without routine court supervision.
Who is the personal representative and what can they do?: Ellen J. Cross of Watertown is the personal representative; she can collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate per the will.
Can I challenge the administration or request court involvement?: Yes; interested parties may petition the Probate Court to initiate formal proceedings or seek orders about the estate.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Informal probate: A streamlined probate process where the personal representative administers the estate without active court supervision.
Personal representative: Person appointed to manage estate affairs, pay debts, and distribute assets under the will.
Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code: State law that governs probate procedures, including informal administration of estates.
Formal proceedings: Court-supervised probate process with filings, hearings, and judicial oversight.

Full Notice Text

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Trial Court
Probate and Family Court
Middlesex Division
Docket No. MI26P2212
INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION
NOTICE
Estate of: Janet A. Cross
Date of Death: 07/15/2025
To all persons interested in the above cap-
tioned estate, by Petition of
Petitioner Ellen J. Cross of Watertown MA
a Will has been admitted to informal pro-
bate.
The estate is being administered under in-
formal procedure by the Personal Repre-
sentative under the Massachusetts Uniform
Probate Code without supervision by the
Court. Inventory and accounts are not re-
quired to be filed with the Court, but inter-
ested parties are entitled to notice regard-
ing the administration from the Personal
Representative and can petition the Court in
any matter relating to the estate, including
distribution of assets and expenses of ad-
ministration. Interested parties are entitled
to petition the Court to institute formal pro-
ceedings and to obtain orders terminating
or

Related Notices

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A petition has been filed asking the Probate Court to appoint a guardian for Anthony Godfrey of Watertown, alleging incapacity and requesting Debra Duffy serve as guardian without bond. Interested persons must file objections by 10:00 A.M. on 06/03/2026.

May 12, 2026ProbateWatertown