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Massachusetts Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My mother passed and left $6000 in an annuity. The bank will not accept Voluntary Administration form I completed.

They said MA requires more but can't tell me what? They are looking for a TIN and Entity or Estate name. There is no estate name.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 16, 2023

This is a difficult time to lose a parent, I extend my condolences. Here are a few tips:The estate name is Estate of..., which is your late mother's name. They also want you to obtain a Federal Taxpayer ID from the IRS for the Estate of your mother as the Social Security number cancels at... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: What does the request by a family court to file a motion to waive a citation mean?

I have recently filed for the name change of my child. The Probate and Family Court returned the petition and all necessary documents, along with the reason for returning being that I should file a motion to waive the citation signed by both parents. i don't understand this request, what... View More

Thomas Shack III
Thomas Shack III pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 8, 2023

In Massachusetts family court, a request to file a motion to waive a citation means that the court is asking you to submit a formal request to waive the requirement of serving a citation to the opposing party. By waiving the citation, the court aims to expedite the legal process.

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My ex has end stage dementia-I am his POA/HCP-hold mortgage on 1/2 house he shares-Can I get lieu deed before he dies?

I have never been paid any interest & want to keep family property safe. I have already paid off one other foreclosure on the property to keep it safe. It is shared (TIC) with his niece. I do not want to force sale of the property when he dies to get my money, so would like to deal with this... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Aug 1, 2023

So I understand correctly, your ex owns the house as tenants in common with his niece and you have a mortgage on his interest in the property only. You propose to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure of his interest in the house. Following such a transfer, you will be tenants in common with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My mom passed away on 6/11/2023. She had a will and life insurance, my sister and I know this . Our step father

Is still alive, but does'int feel right for us to ask. Thinking he might do the right thing.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jul 31, 2023

Can't really tell what your question is, but there should be a Probate of Will Petition filed within 30 days of the date of death if your Mom was a Massachusetts resident. If there is no Will or you are unaware of one, then if stepfather fails to file a Petition for Probate after 30 days you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Hello, my mother passed away 6/11/2023. My step dad is not saying a word but she had a will and life insurance.

I do not want to ask. I feel luke he'd say so. Shw worked 50 years for Boston Medical center. Shed always say she was leaving me this and that but i didint want to hear it. Is there a way to find out because i know my mom would wame to figure this out. I have her death certi,, ss.t

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 26, 2023

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. This is not an insurance bad faith matter (the category chosen for the post). It is closer to Probate or Estate Planning. Attorneys who practice in those areas deal with wills. Not all questions get answered... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Grandfather passed last year. No will has been filed in probate.

My parent has not been able to see the will of her father. He passed away over a year ago. Grandfather told me I have an inheritance as does my parent (his child). Now that he has passed, I am worried his other children, or his living widow; have taken our portion of the inheritance. We contacted... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jul 10, 2023

Was grandfather a Massachusetts resident at his death? Assuming so, and that he died intestate, the widow ( sounds like she is not your mother's mother) and your Mom and your Mom's siblings are heirs. There is a process to pursue to commence an intestate estate and since it seems that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Good day, staff: A question regarding objections, please?

I'm executor for mom's estate. LENGTHY and ASCERBIC going all the way.

If the six objectors (also heirs) contest the final estate accounting and it goes to another level, who is responsible for any probate or legal fees? Does it cost the objectors or does any cost come from the... View More

Michael M Marques
Michael M Marques
answered on Jun 25, 2023

First, the interested parties must allege sufficient legal grounds to challenge the will. Sufficient grounds may include a) undue influence; b) lack of capacity; c) fraud; or d) improper execution. If those elements are met, a petition can be filed to formally contest the will. The interested... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Does IRS get notified if a house goes through probate?

If the estate puts a house through probate, but none of the estate holders want the place, as another family member owns the other 2/3, no money is exchanged. The only reason we are going through probate is to remove my grandmother's name from the deed so I can refinance my mortgage

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jun 5, 2023

You should speak to a lawyer on this because real estate has substantial value and you should obtain individualized advice.

For your convenience only, for decedents dying after 2018, there is no federal estate tax on gross estates valued at less than $11,180,000.00. There is no...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: I submitted this motion for clarification to Franklin probate court, was told it could not be submitted is that correct?

I submitted this motion for clarification to Franklin probate court and was told it could not be submitted as there would be no clarification on the matter.

For reference FR*******WD

29 May, 2023

Motion for clarification,

I move on this date, 29 May, 2023, that the... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jun 2, 2023

The Civil Rules of Procedure are tricky for pro se litigants and that is one of the many reasons to engage legal counsel.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: If a family member is a will's executor, how soon do they have to execute it? It's been 7 yrs. Do I have any recourse?

The executor is sitting on (holding) all the non-monetary assets of the will, even actively preventing access to the inherited home and property by holding all of the keys. She is also the primary heir.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on May 25, 2023

Is this decedent a Massachusetts resident? If so and the Will has not been probated, then those who have priority on the intestacy ladder as the presumption is now that there is no Will unless somehow there is a photocopy of the executed Will which since the named Executor ( Personal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Probate and Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My ex is taking me back to court for contempt I feel what he is doing is litigation abuse. I cannot afford a lawyer.

I am not able to answer his phone calls every single night so he can speak to our son. The last lawyer I had said to agree to the terms of him speaking to my son every night and that it wouldn’t be a big deal. I never wanted to agree because I know my schedule is crazy and I shouldn’t have to... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on May 24, 2023

If there is a Court Order that there is a phone call father has at such a time each night, someone needs to make sure the call happens so that if someone else is watching the child, then they can handle the child responding to the call.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: In Massachusetts is there an agreement that can be filed with the courts for the termination of a domestic relationship?

My domestic partner is looking to end the relationship. We currently own a house together and share bank accounts for the past 3 years. In speaking with the mortgage company I would need a court document stating we are separating and agreeing that I would keep the house for her to be released from... View More

Brian Waller
Brian Waller
answered on Apr 24, 2023

You could file a Petition to Partition in the Probate and Family Court. I have never seen one filed jointly, but I don't see why you couldn't do that, or you could file it as contested then file an agreement for judgment. I believe that could also be filed in Land Court, I am pretty sure... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Lived in parents house for 10yrs after parent passed away; Executor; sold for 150K; how much should I give sibling

97K mortgage was paid from 150K; utility, and home maintenance fees.

Mass probate

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 22, 2023

From your question, I assume you and one sibling inherited the home, that you continued living in the home for ten years while your sibling did not, that you are the only one who made the payments mentioned, and that you have been an adult for the full ten years.

Determine the fair rental...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: What are steps to take with my mother's estate when she passes away with no will.

My mother and I live in Massachusetts. I have an older brother who lives in NY. My mother is 75 with failing health. My mother owns a house in NY and a house in MA. She has a couple of retirement accounts and has savings and checking accounts. She refuses to get a will. I have asked her to do this... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Mar 31, 2023

Your mother appears to reside in Massachusetts and assuming that is the case she would be intestate and depending upon her marital status and whether you and your brother are the only children she has, you and brother have equal ability to file a Petition for Probate of her estate upon her death.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: I will be receiving a settlement for a suit I filed for wrongful death of my father. It was product liability. I am the

Only heir, my dad died 6 yrs ago with a will naming me sole beneficiary. They have already run complete lien checks to be sure nothing is owed to anyone. I’m going to be receiving a settlement check but they want to put check to the estate of. I called bank and they are telling me I would have to... View More

Paul Baker
Paul Baker
answered on Mar 22, 2023

Show your lawyer the will, in which you are named sole beneficiary. Then emphasize that the money is going to end up with you anyway, and that going thru the estate process (filing with the Probate court, advertising your appt. as executor, etc) will be a worthless (and needlessly expensive)... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: I am looking for a pro-bono litigator for contested probate matter regarding adult guardianship/ conservatorship?

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

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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!

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My neighbor passed in 2016; before her passing she had a will which identified me as the executor of the will.

I did not act on the will because the daughter moved in and I didn't want to upset her. However, the daughter recently passed and now there are no living relatives. Is the mom's will still executable?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Mar 13, 2023

I agree that consulting an Estate attorney concerning this matter would be the route to take. A public forum can only provide some basic information. If you are in possession of the original will and were named the Executor now referred to as Personal Representative, you had a duty to move... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: In Massachusetts, typically how long does an INFORMAL PROBATE, with the deceased's home the only significant asset, take

Can the home be sold by the beneficiaries as soon as the Court has approved the completion of the INFORMAL PROBATE?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Mar 9, 2023

This is actually 2 questions-Time frame for the appointment as Personal Rep to occur and the next question is the time needed to complete estate administration. Depending upon the County and the Judge assigned and the availability of Court Personnel the first question is weeks, the second question... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My mother passes away recently. I need to know what to do about her car and credit card debt.

Her only property is an automobile which still still has a loan on it. What would happen to her car? Can I transfer the car and the loan to me? Will I have to sell the car to pay her credit cards off?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Feb 8, 2023

Sorry for your loss. If your mother was a Massachusetts resident, it sounds like you would be filing a Voluntary Statement with the Probate Court for the County of her residence. The vehicle would be listed as subject to a loan and depending upon the circumstances you may be able to acquire same... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: What are my options when trying to remove myself from house deed?

My brother and I, inherited house. My brother has lived in the house for 3 years and not helping with property tax and yet to file yearly taxes, as he is the authorized rep of the estate. My name is on the house deed. How can I remove myself from any obligations as I am no longer financial able to... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jan 3, 2023

Contact your brother and advise him you no longer wish to own the property. Hire a lawyer to prepare a deed of your interest in the house to your brother. Ensure your brother agrees to accept a deed to the property. Have the lawyer record the deed with your brother's assent so that when the... View More

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