Category Archives: Probate
Probate In Massachusetts: What Is A Voluntary Administration?
When a person passes away in Massachusetts, their estate must be settled before their property and assets can be passed down to their beneficiaries. An estate is resolved through the probate process. If you have heard anything about probate, you are probably aware that its reputation is that it can be a time-consuming, complicated,… Read More »
My Close Loved One Passed Away Without A Will In Massachusetts—What Happens Now?
Did your family member or close loved one pass away without a will? It is an issue that many Massachusetts families have gone through. The AARP reports that 6 in 10 U.S. adults lack a will. You may be wondering: What happens to the estate of a person who dies with no will? The… Read More »
Handling Creditors In Probate
One of the biggest issues that must be handled during the Massachusetts probate process is managing creditor claims. This can be an overwhelming process on your own, especially if you have little experience as the administrator of an estate, which is where hiring a knowledgeable probate attorney can be incredibly beneficial. At Fisher Law,… Read More »
Estate Planning Lessons from Celebrity Nightmares
The dispute over Larry King’s estate shines a harsh spotlight on what happens when an elderly person makes major changes late in life to his or her estate plan, especially when the person has become physically weakened and possibly mentally affected, due to aging and illness. A recent article from The National Law Journal,… Read More »
What Paperwork Is Needed after Someone Dies?
Tax return issues, family matters, business associates, partners, trustees, bankers, investment advisors and tax collectors from the IRS to state and local taxing authorities all require attention after someone has died. There is a lot of work, and often a grieving family member finds it helpful to enlist the aid of a professional to… Read More »
What are the Stages of Probate?
Probate is a court-supervised process occurring after your death. It takes place in the state where you were a resident at the time of your death and addresses your estate—all of your financial assets, real estate, personal belongings, debts and unpaid taxes. If you have an estate plan, your last will names an executor,… Read More »
Just What Does an Executor Do?
Spending the least amount of time possible contemplating your death is what most people try to do. However, one part of the estate planning process needs time and reflection: deciding who should serve in important roles, including executor. Whatever the size of your estate, the people you name have jobs that will impact your… Read More »
Trusts can Work for ‘Regular’ People
A trust fund is an estate planning tool that can be used by anyone who wishes to pass their property to individuals, family members or nonprofits. They are used by wealthy people because they solve a number of wealth transfer problems and are equally applicable to people who aren’t mega-rich, explains this recent article… Read More »
Remind Me Why I Need a Will
There are a number of reasons to draft a will as soon as possible. If you die without a will (intestate), you leave decisions up to your state of residence according to its probate and intestacy laws. Without a will, you have no say as to who receives your assets or properties. Not having… Read More »
Does a Trust Have to Be Funded to Be Valid?
Thinking you have divided assets equally between children by creating a trust that names all as equal heirs, while placing only one child’s name on other assets is not an equally divided estate plan. Instead, as described in the article “Estate Planning: Fund the trust” from nwi.com, this arrangement is likely to lead to… Read More »