Massachusetts — How to Claim Surplus Proceeds After a Foreclosure
Short answer If a foreclosure sale of your mother’s property produced money left over after the mortgage, costs, and lienholders were paid, you will need to ask the court that handled the foreclosure to release those surplus funds. In Massachusetts that usually means filing a motion or petition in the foreclosure case and providing proof […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Claiming a Right of Survivorship to Recover Surplus Funds
Detailed Answer Short answer: Possibly — but whether a claimed right of survivorship lets you recover a larger share of surplus funds depends on (1) how title to the property was held and described in the deed, (2) the timing of any death(s) in relation to the foreclosure or sheriff's sale, and (3) whether you […]
Read article →Massachusetts: How to Document a Repossessed Vehicle When Settling a Loved One’s Estate
Detailed Answer When a loved one’s vehicle has been repossessed, a personal representative (executor or administrator) must document the repossession carefully so the estate can be administered correctly. This guide walks through the practical steps you should take in Massachusetts, explains why each item matters, and points to the key laws and official resources you […]
Read article →Claiming Surplus Funds After a Tax Foreclosure Sale in Massachusetts
What to do if a municipal tax sale produced surplus money in Massachusetts This FAQ-style article explains, in plain language, how to pursue excess proceeds that remain after a town or city sells real estate to satisfy unpaid property taxes under Massachusetts law. Detailed Answer When a municipality forecloses for unpaid property taxes and sells […]
Read article →Massachusetts: How to Transfer a Deceased Parent’s Car Title When the Original Title Is Missing
Transferring a Deceased Parent’s Car Title in Massachusetts When the Original Title Is Missing Detailed answer: step-by-step process under Massachusetts law When a parent dies owning a vehicle and you don’t have the original title, Massachusetts law and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) allow several paths to transfer ownership. Which path you use depends […]
Read article →Massachusetts — How to Challenge or Dismiss a Probate Petition for Possession and Control of Estate Property
Frequently Asked Questions: Contesting a Probate Petition for Possession and Control of Estate Property in Massachusetts This FAQ explains how someone in Massachusetts can respond to and seek dismissal of a probate petition asking the court for possession and control of property belonging to a decedent’s estate. It describes common legal bases to challenge such […]
Read article →Massachusetts: What to Do If You Were Not Notified of a Parent’s Final Estate Accounting
Detailed answer: What you can do if you never received notice of a parent’s final accounting (Massachusetts) This article explains, in plain language, common steps people take under Massachusetts law when a relative files a final accounting in a parent’s probate case and you were not given notice. This is a general explanation only — […]
Read article →Contesting an Estate Accounting in Massachusetts: Options After an Accounting Was Approved
Detailed Answer Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a Massachusetts probate attorney. If an estate accounting was approved more than a year ago in Massachusetts, you still may have options to challenge it—but the available paths, burdens, and timelines depend on […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Should You Open Probate in Domiciliary State or Where Death Occurred?
Detailed Answer Short answer: Under Massachusetts law, the main probate case is normally opened in the decedent’s domicile (the state where they legally lived). If the person died in one state but was legally domiciled in another, you generally open the principal (domiciliary) probate where they were domiciled. A separate, smaller ancillary proceeding is usually […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Clearing Creditor Claims Before Selling a Parent’s Estate Home
How to clear creditor claims before selling an estate home in Massachusetts Short answer: Before you can safely sell your parent’s home, you generally must open the estate (if not already opened), be appointed the personal representative, give proper notice to creditors, resolve or provide for valid creditor claims and liens (including mortgages and tax […]
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