It’s difficult to talk about what will happen to your loved ones after you are gone. This sensitive and difficult subject leads to many people avoiding the topic of estate planning at all. However, this can unnecessarily expose your family to feeling caught off guard, confused or even mired in conflict if an unexpected tragedy,… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Wills
What’s the Average Probate Time for Wills in Massachusetts?
There are many different factors that can influence the time it takes from the filing of an official will to the conclusion of that estate’s time in probate administration. Furthermore, one important influence on the time it takes to probate a will is the personal representative’s diligence in completing this job. Furthermore, involvement from outside… Read More »
Does Destroying My Will Revoke It in Massachusetts?
As the creator of a will, it is your responsibility to decide whether or not this document continues to support your estate planning wishes and concerns. If you make the decision that this document no longer reflects what you hope to accomplish in your estate planning, you can revoke it. One common issue that emerges… Read More »
What Is the Burden of Proof When Challenging A Will or Trust in Massachusetts?
There are not many situations in which an individual could have grounds to challenge a will or trust in Massachusetts. However, as a person putting together your estate planning documents and planning ahead, it is important to understand the steps that you can take with the help of your attorney to decrease the chances of… Read More »
What Happens if I Never Update My Massachusetts Will After a New Marriage?
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s recent ruling in the case Ciani v. McGrath, highlights an important issue regarding updating a will when the creator fails to update a years-old document. In that particular case, a now-deceased individual had married a second time after his first wife had passed away. However, the original will, which provided… Read More »
How is a Living Will in Massachusetts Different from My Will?
As with all states, living in Massachusetts means you must be aware of relevant state and federal laws that influence how you pass on assets to your loved ones. Having an established relationship with a Massachusetts estate planning lawyer can help you understand how to create a plan that addresses your own needs while remaining… Read More »
Half of Americans Still Don’t Have A Will- Are You One of Them?
Have you put off sitting down with a Natick estate planning lawyer because you don’t want to think about it or don’t think you need one? You’re not alone- plenty of people in Massachusetts and around the country don’t have this basic estate planning tool in place. Merrill Lynch and Age Wave recently published the… Read More »
Do I Need a Power of Attorney and a Last Will?
If you’ve spoken to any estate planning attorney or started research of your own, there’s a good chance that you’ve uncovered these two basic tools: a power of attorney and a last will. Together, these documents form the foundation for your overall estate plan. However, they do not accomplish the same goals and a comprehensive… Read More »
Do You Have Your Most Important Papers Protected?
The news has been filled with plenty of stories about devastating and tragic events that have forced people out of their homes suddenly. This is why it’s so important for everyone to have a plan for how they will access their important documents and information if they are suddenly forced out of the home and… Read More »
What Are a Will Executor’s Responsibilities in Massachusetts?
Since your will’s Personal Representative (formerly known as an Executor) holds an important position in the distribution of your estate, you need to put careful thought into the selection of this agent. If a will submitted to probate court names an Personal Representative, the court awards that person “letters testamentary.” This is the official paperwork… Read More »