Posts Categorized: Probate

After you pass away, your estate will most likely go through a process known as probate. This estate administration process can be time-consuming, very involved for the executor appointed to handle these matters, and costly. It can also be frustrating for your heirs. The good news is that you can usually avoid probate with some… Read More »

When you pass away and a loved one or a family friend is appointed in the role of handling the estate, probate fees might apply. Common fees associated with probate in Massachusetts include probate or administrator bonds, land survey accounting or appraisal fees, services provided by a probate lawyer, if hired, and personal representative compensation…. Read More »

One of the most important steps that happens after a personal representative is appointed to your case, is the determination of date of death values. All assets that you owned inside your probate estate must be valued so that they can be liquidated to raise cash, to pay for debt taxes, debts, and expenses. It… Read More »

The complexity of any individual estate will determine how long it takes to get through probate. The time necessary to probate a will in Massachusetts will depend on numerous factors, particularly how involved the Internal Revenue Service is with regards to settling or closing out an estate. You will want to be prepared to speak… Read More »

Informal probate is one method of streamlining your estate administration to make things simpler for your loved ones after you pass away. Hearings for informal probate are not required under informal probate procedures. There are several circumstances that block informal probate, including: No confirmed death certificate The original will’s location is not identified The person… Read More »

If you have been named as a personal representative in another person’s will, you need to understand the overall process of Massachusetts probate. There are many different important steps that need to be taken as soon as possible after the deceased passes away. The first thing to note is that probate must occur in the… Read More »

Many people are confused about the different laws that might apply to a Massachusetts estate. This has relevance for you as an individual, and also for loved ones who are stepping in to handle the administration or probate of a loved one’s estate. What is Massachusetts Probate? Probate in Massachusetts refers to the formal process… Read More »

As we’ve discussed in one of our blogs in the past, not all assets are subject to probate. Likewise, not all estates must be processed through the formal probate procedures in Massachusetts. In short, informal probate involves very limited court oversight. The process can be expedited if there are no objections by interested parties and… Read More »