Probate is one of those things that you have probably heard of, but know very little about unless you have been through the probate of an estate at some point during your lifetime. Everyone, however, should have at least a basic understanding of the probate process for their own estate planning purposes. Because the primary purpose of probate is to distribute your estate assets after your death, you should understand the relationship between probate and property. To help you, consider the … [Read more...]

Whether you have been notified that you were appointed as the Executor of an estate, or you are planning your own estate and need to appoint an Executor, it is important to understand the duties and responsibilities of an Executor. "Executor" is also sometimes referred to as "Personal Representative".  Unfortunately, people frequently name someone as their Executor without taking the time to contemplate what it means to be an Executor and, therefore, whether or not the individual is actually the … [Read more...]

The death of a family member or loved one is typically followed by a period of grief and mourning. If you were named as the Executor in the decedent’s Last Will and Testament, however, it also means navigating Massachusetts probate. If this is your first time serving as the Executor of an estate (also referred to as a "Personal Representative"), you are likely feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect. The best decisions you can make right now is to consult with an experienced Massachusetts … [Read more...]

If you find yourself involved in the probate of an estate for one of several reasons, and you have never been through the probate process before, you likely have a number of questions about the process itself and your role within the process. One of the most common questions people who are involved in the probate of an estate have is “how long does take?” Because the probate of an estate is such an individualized process, there is no way to provide a universal answer to that specific question. … [Read more...]

There is a very good chance that you will find yourself in the Massachusetts probate court at some point in your life. You could be there as the Executor or Personal Representative of the estate of someone who recently died. You could also be there because you are a beneficiary or heir of an estate. Regardless of the reason, it can be somewhat intimidating to find yourself involved in a legal matter in a court with which you are unfamiliar. Although every probate process is as unique as the … [Read more...]

To create a successful, comprehensive, estate plan, you need to focus on more than just the distribution of your estate assets when you are gone. In fact, a well thought out estate plan typically includes a variety of different components that make use of numerous different estate planning tools and strategies. In order to determine what components should be included in your estate plan, you must first consider what your estate planning needs and goals are. One common estate planning goal is … [Read more...]

Your Last Will and Testament will likely provide the foundation for your entire estate plan. As such, the decisions you make in your Will should be made only after careful consideration. This applies not only to decisions that relate to the distribution of your estate assets, but also to the decision of who to appoint as the Executor of your estate. People frequently make the mistake of simply filling in the name of a spouse, family member, or close friend as the Executor in their Last Will and … [Read more...]

There is a very strong likelihood that you will be involved in the probate of an estate at some point in your life. You might find yourself involved in the probate process because you were named as the Executor of an estate or because you volunteered to oversee the administration of an intestate estate. You might also be involved in the probate of an estate as a beneficiary, heir, or even creditor of an estate. Regardless of the reason for your involvement in the probate process, you will … [Read more...]

The probate process in any state can be a time consuming and frustrating process for everyone involved under the best of circumstances. Unfortunately, however, the probate process often takes place under circumstances that are less than ideal. If you are involved in the probate of an estate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for example, and someone challenges the Last Will and Testament submitted to the court for probate, it will have a direct impact on the probate process itself. If you … [Read more...]

In the normal course of events, formal probate is required following the death of an individual. Formal probate, however, can cost the estate a considerable amount of money and cost the beneficiaries in terms of time. If you are involved in the probate of an estate in the State of New Hampshire, you may be wondering if New Hampshire probate law offers an alternative to formal probate for small estates. The good news is that if the estate qualifies it may be possible to avoid both the time and … [Read more...]