Those who have an estate plan on record are already ahead of the curve. A majority of adults in the United States do not currently have any estate planning paperwork on record. If they die, their families may need to undergo intestate succession proceedings because of...
Estate Planning
What reasons can lead to the removal of a trustee?
When creating a trust, there are multiple roles with various functions, all essential to solidify the legal arrangement. Specifically, the trustee has many obligations involving management of the trust and prioritizing the interests of its beneficiaries. If they...
How do you ensure your will is fraud-proof?
Creating a last will is an important step in securing your legacy. Doing this puts your mind at ease that even if you die unexpectedly, you can distribute your assets according to your wishes. However, even if you can state all your demands clearly, you cannot be sure...
When can families remove or replace a personal representative?
The personal representative of a Massachusetts estate has a lot of different responsibilities to fulfill. They need to locate someone's testamentary documents and secure their resources. They need to submit paperwork to the Massachusetts probate courts and attend...
When can you contest a will in Massachusetts?
Probate is the legal process through which a person’s estate is settled and distributed. During probate, the court oversees the payment of debts and taxes, identifies the rightful heirs and helps ensure the transfer of assets according to the terms of a will or...
Can you turn down an inheritance after someone dies?
Some people don’t feel comfortable discussing their estate plan with their loved ones. Sometimes it’s the loved ones who don’t want to talk about a time when their parents or other older relatives won’t be around. This is how people end up inheriting things they don’t...
Can you sue an executor for stealing from the estate?
When a loved one dies, their estate is usually managed by an executor appointed in the deceased’s will. The executor’s role is to distribute the estate assets according to the deceased’s wishes and in compliance with state law. However, suppose the executor is found...
2 estate planning tactics to reduce contests during probate
The value of your belongings, how much effort you invested in estate planning and your family relationships will all influence how stressful and complex the administration of your estate will become. Testators could have challenges brought against their estates after...
3 warning signs of undue influence affecting an estate plan
Estate planning is a deeply personal process in which someone must think about their life and their loved ones to make decisions about who will inherit from their estate when they die. Such personal decisions should be a reflection of someone's values and closest...
You’re considering disinheriting an heir. Are there other options?
You're thinking about disinheriting someone. At the same time, you know that this makes it more likely that they're going to challenge your will. They're not going to be happy when they find out that you didn't leave them anything, and they may enter a dispute by...