Massachusetts: First Step to Determine Who Legally Owns a Portion of Family Land
Quick answer The first practical step in Massachusetts is to locate and examine the recorded deed(s) and related records for the parcel at the local Registry of Deeds and the town assessor’s office. Those records show who holds legal title and give the legal description you need to confirm whether a specific portion of the […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Challenging Transfers Made Under a Power of Attorney When Capacity Is Suspect
Detailed Answer Short answer: Yes—you can challenge transfers made under a power of attorney in Massachusetts if you have a good-faith basis to believe the principal lacked the mental capacity to sign the power of attorney or that the agent abused their authority. Challenges usually proceed in Probate and Family Court and can seek removal […]
Read article →Massachusetts — What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Held Property When Someone Dies Without a Will
Disclaimer This article explains general Massachusetts law and common outcomes. It is educational only and is not legal advice. For answers specific to your situation, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or the Probate and Family Court. Detailed Answer When someone dies without a will in Massachusetts (dies intestate), what happens to money and property depends […]
Read article →Massachusetts — Which Estate Property Expenses Can Be Reimbursed Before Sale?
How to track and get reimbursed for estate property expenses in Massachusetts Quick summary: If you are a personal representative (executor or administrator) in Massachusetts, you may pay certain expenses to preserve and maintain estate property before it is sold. Typical reimbursable items include insurance, property taxes, necessary repairs, utilities, property management, and appraisal fees. […]
Read article →How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Massachusetts
Detailed Answer Short overview. If someone dies with no valid executor willing or able to serve, or if there is no will, the Probate and Family Court appoints a personal representative called an administrator (or co-administrators if the court allows multiple people). The process in Massachusetts starts with filing a petition in the Probate and […]
Read article →Massachusetts: How to Challenge a Suspected Forged Will
Overview: Challenging a Suspected Forged Will in Massachusetts Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article provides general information about Massachusetts law to help you understand the process and decide whether to consult an attorney. This is not legal advice. Detailed Answer If you believe a will is forged, act quickly. Massachusetts handles will disputes […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Using Wills and Beneficiary Designations to Reduce or Avoid Probate
Can you arrange inheritances to avoid probate in Massachusetts? Short answer: Some assets can pass outside probate in Massachusetts if you use beneficiary designations, payable-on-death accounts, joint ownership with rights of survivorship, transfers-on-death where allowed, and properly funded revocable trusts. A will does not by itself avoid probate — it directs how probate should distribute […]
Read article →Submitting an Original Will to Probate Court from Out of State — Massachusetts
Detailed Answer If you live outside Massachusetts and need to submit an original will to a Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, follow a clear process so the court receives the original document safely and the estate can move forward. Below is a practical, step‑by‑step approach that reflects how probate works in Massachusetts and points you […]
Read article →Massachusetts — How to Verify That a Will Is the Original
How to confirm a will is the original document in Massachusetts Short answer: The “original” will is the signed, witnessed paper (or electronic original where allowed) bearing the testator’s signature and the signatures of the attesting witnesses, and — in Massachusetts — it is the document that the Probate and Family Court expects to receive […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings' Interests in Family Property — Massachusetts Guide
Detailed Answer Disclaimer: This is general information only and not legal advice. Consult a Massachusetts real estate or probate attorney about your specific situation before taking legal action. Below is a clear, step-by-step explanation of how a person in Massachusetts can buy out co-owners’ interests in family real estate instead of forcing a sale. A […]
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