Before you close the estate, find out whether MassHealth has a recovery claim against the property. We submit the authorized request, track it down, and deliver a written finding — so there are no surprises at the closing table.
In Massachusetts, MassHealth (Medicaid) can file an estate-recovery claim against the real property of a deceased member who was 55 or older and received long-term-care benefits. These claims are not recorded at the Registry of Deeds — they don't appear in a standard title search, and they aren't in any public database. They surface as a surprise lien at the closing table, potentially delaying or killing a sale.
The only way to know: submit an authorized written inquiry to the MassHealth Estate Recovery Unit (part of EOHHS). An attorney would typically charge $500–1,500 to do this as part of their estate work. We do it for $199.
Don't have Letters of Authority yet? You likely need to file for informal probate first. The ClariDeed estate roadmap walks you through that process.
Total typical turnaround: 5–10 business days from order. We don't control MassHealth's processing time — we submit promptly and track the request. We'll notify you if there's an unusual delay.
Fill out the form below. We'll confirm your order via email and send you the authorization form to sign before we submit. No payment is collected until you've reviewed and confirmed.
Any estate where the decedent was 55 or older and may have received MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits — especially long-term care, nursing home, or home-care coverage. You don't need to know whether they received benefits; it's safer to check. If MassHealth has no claim, the pull returns "No claim on record" and you're done.
MassHealth will state the claim amount and date. A claim doesn't automatically block the sale — you can negotiate with MassHealth's Estate Recovery Unit (hardship waivers are sometimes available), pay the claim at closing, or dispute the amount if it seems incorrect. We'll send you a plain-English explanation of your options. Most executors work with their estate attorney at this stage; we can refer you to one if needed.
No. A title search (run by a title company or closing attorney) checks recorded instruments at the Registry of Deeds — mortgages, liens, deeds. MassHealth estate-recovery claims are not recorded at the registry — they are held at EOHHS and only surface via a direct authorized inquiry. A clean title search does not rule out a MassHealth claim.
You can — it involves writing an authorized letter to the MassHealth Estate Recovery Unit, attaching a copy of the Letters of Authority, and mailing or faxing to EOHHS. The process isn't complicated, but it takes 2–3 hours to navigate correctly and requires knowing the right address and authorization format. If you have time, Mass.gov has the instructions. If you'd rather have us do it, that's what $199 buys.
Submit your order now and note "pending" in the Letters of Authority field. We'll hold the order and submit the inquiry the same day you forward the issued letters. Most probate courts issue them in 4–8 weeks for informal administration.
No. ClariDeed is an information research service. We prepare and submit factual records inquiries on behalf of authorized estate executors. We provide findings from public agencies, not legal advice or legal opinions. Retain a MA-licensed estate attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation.