Massachusetts: How to Retitle a Deceased Parent’s Car — Steps & FAQ
FAQ: How do I retitle my parent’s car in Massachusetts? Short answer: The exact steps depend on how the vehicle was titled (sole owner, joint owner, or held in a trust) and whether the estate must be probated. In many cases you will need the vehicle title, a certified death certificate, and either a signed […]
Read article →What Happens to Leftover Sale Proceeds in Massachusetts When Someone Dies Without a Will
Detailed Answer Quick overview: In Massachusetts, when a person dies without a will (intestate), any money that comes into the estate — including leftover proceeds from the sale of the decedent’s property — is estate property. The probate process determines who may collect and distribute those funds. The personal representative (appointed by the Probate Court) […]
Read article →Massachusetts: What to do if a proposed administrator withholds estate asset information
How to respond when a proposed administrator withholds estate assets and documents in Massachusetts Quick overview: If the person appointed (or proposed) to act as an administrator or personal representative of an estate is refusing to share asset information and estate documents, Massachusetts law gives interested persons ways to obtain records and to hold the […]
Read article →How to Object to a Sibling’s Application for Letters of Administration in Massachusetts
Detailed Answer Short overview: In Massachusetts probate court the person who applies for letters of administration (also called appointment as personal representative or administrator when there is no will) must be qualified and entitled under state law. If your sibling applies and you believe they are not entitled, not qualified, or are acting improperly, you […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Forcing a Spouse to Sell a House and Distribute Estate Proceeds
Detailed Answer When a decedent’s will directs that a house be sold and the proceeds distributed, the person who carries out those instructions is normally the personal representative (executor or administrator). In Massachusetts, the route to force a sale depends on who controls title, whether the estate is opened in Probate and Family Court, and […]
Read article →How to Recover a Cash Bequest in Massachusetts When an Executor Refuses to Cooperate
Recovering a Cash Bequest from an Uncooperative Executor — What to Do in Massachusetts Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. This article explains general Massachusetts probate procedures and options. For specific legal advice about your situation, consult a Massachusetts probate attorney or the Probate and Family Court. Detailed Answer […]
Read article →Massachusetts: How to File a Notice to Creditors in Probate
Filing a Notice to Creditors in Massachusetts: Detailed Answer and Practical Steps Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed Massachusetts probate attorney or the Probate and Family Court. Detailed Answer A Notice to Creditors informs potential creditors that an […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Getting Appointed Personal Representative When a Named Executor Refuses to Serve
Can I become the executor if my parent named my sibling first but they refuse to serve? Short answer: Yes — if the person named as executor refuses or fails to qualify, the Probate and Family Court can appoint an alternate or another interested person. Follow the will’s directions first (including any named alternate); if […]
Read article →Massachusetts Guide to MassHealth Estate Recovery and a Parent's Home
FAQ: Understanding MassHealth estate recovery and a parent’s home in Massachusetts Detailed answer This answer explains how MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) can try to recover benefits paid for an enrollee and what that means for a parent’s house. It explains what MassHealth can and cannot force family members to do, common exemptions, and practical steps you […]
Read article →Massachusetts: Inherited House, Probate Status, and Avoiding Foreclosure
Understanding Non‑Probate Ownership and How to Stop a Foreclosure in Massachusetts Short answer: Some houses never become “probate assets” because they pass automatically at death (for example, by joint tenancy, tenancy by the entirety, or because they are held in a living trust). When that happens, the estate administrator typically does not control the property. […]
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