When There is No Will | What Happens in Massachusetts?

As much as everyone seems to understand the importance of having a last will and testament, few actually understand what happens when we die without one. Perhaps the best way to describe what follows is that the State of Massachusetts has drafted a will for you, and it is called the laws of intestate succession. […]

How Long is Probate in Massachusetts? | Time Spent on Probate Process

The costs and delays involved with probating a will are usually what lead people to form estate plans in the first place. The goal for most is to reduce the time and money their heirs and beneficiaries have to go through before inheriting property. In case you are new to estate planning, avoiding probate cures […]

How Much is Probate in Massachusetts? | The Cost of Probating a Will

The time and expense involved with probating a will are the driving forces behind many estate plans. Most people would naturally like their assets to pass to family members and beneficiaries with as little trouble and delay as possible. But what is the actual cost of probating a will in Massachusetts, and what should the […]

Is An Inheritance Loan Worth It? | Paying for Probate Process

Many people create estate plans with one primary thought in mind: how to avoid the probate process. Their goal is to make sure that property is not caught up in the courts and passed immediately to beneficiaries upon death. But of course if an estate plan is not in place, or if it is not […]

What is the Estate Tax in Massachusetts? | Massachusetts Probate Law

This question has no easy answer. At the outset, however, we will note that all estates under one million dollars are entitled to a full exemption from Massachusetts estate tax under current law. While there are no modifications on the horizon as of summer of 2012, the law may nevertheless change at any time. Every […]

How to Contest A Will | Massachusetts Probate Law

When a person is dissatisfied with the terms of a will, he has the option to challenge the document in the Massachusetts Probate Court. That person, of course, must have some interest in the will to have “standing,” and he must file in the county where the decedent’s will is being probated (usually in the […]