For many families, the family home is the most valuable asset they own. Whether you live in Brimfield, Brookline, Sherborn, or Dover, MA, what happens to your house after you pass away depends on whether you have a proper estate plan.
Without a Will or Trust
If you pass away without a will, your house goes through probate. In Massachusetts and Vermont, the court decides how to distribute the property based on intestacy laws. This may mean:
A surviving spouse and children share ownership.
If there are no close relatives, the property may pass to distant family members.
The home may need to be sold to satisfy debts or to divide value among heirs.
With a Will
A will allows you to specify exactly who should inherit your home. For example, a parent in Natick can direct that the family home goes to one child while other assets go to another, reducing conflict.
With a Trust
Placing your Brimfield or Brookline MA home into a trust can allow your heirs to avoid probate altogether, saving months of delay and potential legal costs.
Bottom line: Without an estate plan, your home could end up in probate court instead of in the hands of your loved ones.
There is no time to waste. Give us a call at (508) 202-1818 to prevent potential future chaos.