Is probate administration required when there is no will in Massachusetts (MA)?
Do you need probate administration when there is no will in Massachusetts? Detailed Answer — When Massachusetts requires probate if someone dies without a will Short answer: possibly. In Massachusetts, dying without a will (intestate) does not automatically force a full probate administration in every case, but it often makes probate necessary whenever the deceased […]
Read article →How can one close an estate bank account and obtain the required closing statement? (MA)
Closing an estate bank account and getting the required closing statement in Massachusetts Quick overview: If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) of a Massachusetts estate, you generally must gather the decedent’s financial records, use your court-issued authority (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration), pay valid debts and taxes, prepare a final accounting, […]
Read article →How to properly document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate — MA
Detailed Answer When you act as a personal representative (executor or administrator) of a Massachusetts estate, meticulous recordkeeping for any payments you make—to heirs, beneficiaries, vendors, or service providers—is essential. Clear documentation protects you in court, supports the estate accounting, and helps prevent disputes. Below is a practical, step-by-step approach grounded in Massachusetts probate practice […]
Read article →How do I ensure third-party claims and payments are accurately recorded in Massachusetts probate filings? (MA)
Detailed answer This article explains practical steps a personal representative (executor/administrator) and other interested persons can take to make sure third‑party claims and payments are accurately recorded in Massachusetts probate filings. Accurate recordkeeping protects the estate, supports court accountings, and reduces the risk of personal liability for the fiduciary. This is educational information only and […]
Read article →How can next of kin qualify to be appointed as the estate administrator in MA?
Detailed Answer When someone dies without a named executor or when the named executor cannot serve, a close relative — commonly called the next of kin — often asks whether they can be appointed to manage the decedent’s estate. In Massachusetts the probate court appoints a personal representative (often called an administrator when there is […]
Read article →What documents are required to apply for probate appointment and oath in Massachusetts (MA)?
Detailed Answer When someone dies in Massachusetts and their estate must go through probate, the court formally appoints a personal representative (called an executor if named in a will, or an administrator if there is no will). The appointment goes together with an oath that the personal representative must take before receiving official letters allowing […]
Read article →Which statements and financial documents are required for annual and final probate accountings in MA?
Detailed answer — What documents to assemble for annual and final probate accountings in Massachusetts When a personal representative (executor/administrator) or a fiduciary files an annual or final accounting in Massachusetts Probate Court, the court expects a clear, verifiable financial record showing how estate funds were handled. State probate law and court practice focus on […]
Read article →What steps can heirs take to resolve an elective share dispute through mediation in Massachusetts (MA)?
Detailed Answer This FAQ explains practical, step‑by‑step actions heirs can take to resolve an elective share dispute through mediation in Massachusetts. It assumes heirs start with little or no legal knowledge and focuses on how mediation typically works, what to prepare, and how to turn a mediated agreement into a final resolution approved by the […]
Read article →What is the process for negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount in estate administration in Massachusetts (MA)?
Detailed Answer — How creditor payoffs are negotiated during estate administration in Massachusetts When someone dies in Massachusetts, the person in charge of the estate (the personal representative or executor) must collect assets, pay valid debts, and distribute any remaining property to beneficiaries. Negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount is a common part of that process […]
Read article →What steps can I take to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt in Massachusetts (MA)?
Detailed Answer — How to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt (Massachusetts) Short answer: Do not pay on a verbal payoff. Get a written, itemized payoff statement; confirm the creditor’s claim against the estate; check whether the claim was timely presented to the Probate and Family Court; verify math, interest, […]
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