How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a Massachusetts (MA) small estate case?
Detailed Answer: Submitting an Affidavit Accounting for Personal Property in a Massachusetts Small Estate Case This article explains, in plain language, how to prepare and submit an affidavit accounting for personal property when someone dies and the estate qualifies as a small estate under Massachusetts law. It walks through eligibility, the documents you need, how […]
Read article →What records are needed to show asset transfers under small estate procedures (MA)
Detailed Answer This FAQ explains what records you need to show transfers of assets when using Massachusetts small estate procedures. This is an educational guide only and not legal advice. If you have questions about a real case, contact a probate attorney or the Probate and Family Court. Which small estate procedure applies in Massachusetts? […]
Read article →How do I value collectibles like Pokémon cards when preparing my estate paperwork? (MA)
Detailed Answer When you prepare estate paperwork in Massachusetts, you must list and assign values to all significant assets, including collectibles such as Pokémon cards. For probate and tax purposes the relevant value is typically the fair market value (FMV) at the decedent’s date of death: the price a willing buyer would pay a willing […]
Read article →What are the legal requirements and process for transferring a decedent’s firearms during probate — MA
Transferring a Decedent’s Firearms During Probate in Massachusetts — FAQ Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article is educational and does not provide legal advice. For decisions about a specific estate, speak with a Massachusetts probate attorney and the local police licensing authority. Detailed Answer: What you need to know When someone dies in […]
Read article →What documentation is needed to prove ownership when filing a surplus funds claim in MA?
If you believe you are entitled to surplus proceeds after a foreclosure sale in Massachusetts, you must prove you owned or held a legal right to the property at the relevant time. Below is a clear, step-by-step FAQ-style guide to the common documentation and evidence claimants should gather when filing a surplus funds claim in […]
Read article →How to protect life insurance proceeds when there is no named beneficiary from creditor claims in estate administration (MA)
FAQ: Protecting Life Insurance Proceeds When There Is No Named Beneficiary — Massachusetts Short answer: If a life insurance policy has no living named beneficiary at the insured’s death, the insurer will typically pay the proceeds to the insured’s estate. In Massachusetts that generally means the proceeds become probate assets and can be reached by […]
Read article →What should I do if an heir refuses to return estate property and the estate is still open? — MA
What to do if an heir refuses to return estate property while the estate is still open (Massachusetts) Quick overview: If someone who is an heir or beneficiary keeps estate property without permission while the probate case remains open, the personal representative (executor or administrator) has tools under Massachusetts probate practice and the Probate & […]
Read article →Can I become the personal representative of my sister's estate? (MA)
Can I become the personal representative of my sister's estate? Short answer Yes — you may be able to serve as your sister's personal representative (sometimes called an executor or administrator) under Massachusetts law, but whether you will be appointed depends on two main facts: (1) whether your sister left a valid will that names […]
Read article →What options do heirs have when an estate administrator becomes unresponsive or refuses to distribute assets? (MA)
What to do when an estate administrator is unresponsive or refuses to distribute assets Brief overview When someone is appointed as an estate administrator (personal representative) in Massachusetts, they have a legal duty to manage and distribute the estate according to the will and Massachusetts probate law. If that person becomes unresponsive or refuses to […]
Read article →How do I apply to be appointed as the personal representative of a deceased relative’s estate? – MA
Overview This FAQ explains how to apply to be appointed the personal representative (also called executor or administrator) of a deceased relative’s estate in Massachusetts. It walks you through eligibility, necessary documents, where to file, basic steps in the court process, and what to expect after appointment. This is general information only and not legal […]
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