My mother-in-law lost her husband 10 years ago. The grandson who has been living there with them rent free for over 20 years is now trying to take the house away from her. My mother-in- law is 83 years old and is alert, drives a car and manages and pays all the bills. She thinks the grandson stole... View More 
answered on Nov 17, 2023
If she is missing her Will she can "replace" it by doing a new one if she is competent.
I was not present when the Trust was signed did not know i was a beneficiary but a family member was present witnessed this as Trustee and the settlor signed it . If for some odd reason this doesnt go in my favor do I have a lawsuit against the attorney who notarized the Trust as a benificary.
answered on Jul 12, 2023
Is the Settlor lacking competence or under duress or undue influence in the transfer into Trust? These are the issues.
Trial Attorney with experience in probate litigation in regards to adult guardianships/conservatorships.
Attorney can be located anywhere in Massachusetts as long as the attorney is licensed and in good standing to practice in Massachusetts. Must be committed, competent and a crusader for... View More
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answered on Mar 17, 2023
I am sure that you will find a very good probate litigator that meets all of your requirements to represent you for free!
Father and son jointly acquired a home with funds provided by the father. They memorialized an investment agreement/promissory note whereby the son was permitted to live in the house while repaying his half of the initial cost. Additionally, the son was responsible for all utilities, insurance and... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2023
The issue of whether a third party's improvements to real property reduce its value for estate tax valuation purposes is not straightforward. This question should be directed to a tax professional or your estate attorney.
My father is 25000 behind on the mortgage and 12000 for utilities. I am due to inherit the house as stated by him and as I’m next of kin also. I don’t know exactly what will happen if he passes with debt since his cancer is bad and due to pass soon. I want to know what my options are that will... View More
answered on Oct 3, 2022
Will you be the sole heir? Is he a Massachusetts resident? If you are the sole heir, then you may be able to take over the mortgage through what is referred to as a "novation" with the mortgage company if that is something the company offers or you may be able to refinance the... View More
Bank is saying they cannot make changes to accounts in a trust's name because their documentation lists my deceased mother as a trustee, so changes (e.g. closing frozen accounts/transferring funds to new accounts) would require her signature... Is this accurate? Even though she is obviously... View More
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answered on Oct 2, 2022
You do not need to amend the trust, usually. The typical solution is to prepare an updated Certification of Trust that recites that the original trustee is deceased and identifies the successor trustee(s).
I am downsizing and my son/wife want to own my home and we discussed 2 year lease. I am not sure how it works. What do I need to do? Do I become a landlord?
answered on Aug 23, 2022
There can be a Lease and a separate Option to Purchase instrument. It is unclear if you want a Right of First Refusal or an Option with a price setting mechanism.
She verbally left everything to me and her partner and family agrees
answered on Jul 25, 2022
If your godmother was domiciled in Massachusetts she needed to have a Will ( nonverbal- in writing ) with suitable witnessing , etc. so, you have acted without authority in any event and it is up to her heirs or potentially other creditors as to what they wish to do against you for taking the... View More
My wife and I made an offer on a house and signed a P&S. We discovered the property is in a trust and only trustee #1 signed the P&S. My attorney reviewed the trust and concluded only one trustee is required to sign. She conferred with the bank’s attorney and he came to the same... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2022
This is not the type of straightforward question well suited to a question and answer online forum. It appears there are issues with the trust and the trustees' powers that are specific to this situation. In other words, there is no standard answer to your question. I strongly suggest you... View More
Am I entitled to my mother's share of his estate or is it just split between my uncle's 2 living siblings? I should have noted he also had no spouse.
answered on Mar 10, 2022
You did not state when he died or whether he was a resident of Massachusetts or if he was married, but assuming he was a Massachusetts resident and died after March 2012 and was not married , then since his parents are dead his siblings and you as the issue of a deceased sibling are the heirs... View More
The total real state taxes with fees and penalties is around 30000, can a payment plan be in placed so I don’t loose my home and also be on time with my current tax bill
answered on Jan 7, 2022
Contact the tax collector, explain your situation, and see if you can arrive at a payment plan.
My father passed away unexpectedly a couple months ago. June 12th to be exact and a month later after his funeral, I filed intestate probate as he had no will. He had debt and expenses, but his parents took care of it. After legally doing all the paperwork for probate it was done within 3 weeks... View More
answered on Sep 7, 2021
If you are appointed Personal Representative of his estate you can and should obtain information from the Registry of Motor Vehicles about the title and transfer information. If assets or monies were stolen from the estate then you may be advised to pursue the parents depending upon whether the sum... View More
My father passed away and left an irrevocable trust. My sister and I are co-executors and everything is divided 50/50. She has gone behind my back and taken things (of significant value). Is that legal and if not what can I do to stop her? My sister and I have been estranged for many years so there... View More
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answered on Jul 10, 2021
Your probate attorney can help you file a petition to require your sister to account for all assets or to have her removed as executor if she is engaging in malfeasance.
A second cousin is named as an alternate in a will. The first cousins are the heirs-at-law. The second cousin is contesting the will.
answered on Jun 28, 2021
If the devisees under the Will are all alive, then it would seem that an alternate designated or conditional beneficiary-devisee would not take under the Will. If the Will is disallowed the heirs under intestacy would take.
If there is a uniform support order, and divorce was mediated and both parents waived having one pay child support, with notations by the Judge in the order, can another person modify the order stating that the parent didn't ever pay child support? The parent who supported is deceased.
answered on Jun 2, 2021
This is a very confusing question , particularly if a Modification is being sought against an estate? If there is not an order of child support, is there an order relative to life insurance?
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answered on May 25, 2021
The will only need to comply with the laws of the state in which you reside when the will is made. HOWEVER, do understand that if you create a will-based estate plan, then your estate will have to undergo the probate process in two states (every state in which you own real property). You can... View More
answered on May 20, 2021
It sounds like he is not on the title and did not pay toward its acquisition. Sharing living expenses should not result in an equitable interest. However, if he makes renovations or additions or pays for major pricey repairs, this could be problematic .
I was wondering if the properties in Mass have to be reregistered at some point or is there anything about the trust setup thats common I have never done this before. Any help is greatly appreciated.
answered on May 18, 2021
If the plan is for the irrevocable trust to own the properties, and the properties are real property, you need to convey the properties by deed from whoever owns them to the trust.
answered on Mar 29, 2021
You have not supplied any details as to what the circumstances were and it is possible that you were victimized and coerced into doing so or not competent at the time and may be able to pursue an equity action. Pursuing action sooner is better than later and you don't want to run into any... View More
My wife and I have 1 single home jointly owned, and a 2-unit rental in my name only (had it since before marriage). We agreed, since we have no kids, after we’re gone, our inheritance goes to my nephews and niece. Wills have been drawn up, if I go first she gets all, the same if she goes first... View More
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answered on Feb 19, 2021
This is a very common concern and there are definitely ways to solve this problem, but this is not a do-it-yourself project. You should hire an estate planning attorney to help you with this. The attorney will explain to you the pros and cons of the various solutions.
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