Announcing: A satellite office located in Methuen, MA
319 Littleton Road, Suite 305, Westford, Massachusetts 01886
PROBATE & ESTATE/TRUST ADMINiSTRATION
Death of a loved one
There is no easy way to take the first steps after the death of a loved one and we understand this. We will provide you with the tools and guidance you need to properly settle their affairs.
Probate
Probate is the Court process necessary to prove a Will is valid and to give the surviving spouse, or other family member, authority to gather the assets and begin the process of re-titling and/or distributing them. Probate is not required in every case even if your loved one had a Will. Please call for our "What To Do After The Death Of A Loved One" information packet. It will provide an outline of what you need to do and what will be necessary if probate is needed.
Estate/TRUST adminstration
The process of gathering and overseeing the estate of a loved one can be overwhelming. Our attorneys are available to provide detailed guidance on property and account re-titling or transfer. We will work with your financial planner and CPA to ensure a timely and seamless administration whether you are working under a Will or with a Trust that has been in the family for years.
estate tax concerns
In Massachusetts, if someone dies with assets in excess of $1M then an estate tax return must be filed with the Department of Revenue. If you own property in our beloved state of Massachusetts, then you know that practically every home is worth a significant amount of money and can easily push a total estate value over the $1M threshold. We will review the assets ensuring you have obtained the proper valuations, and prepare and file the return on behalf of the estate.
trusts & trust adminstration
A trust can work to simplify your planning in many ways. It can provide a way to avoid probate down the road by holding title to real estate and/or assets and it can maintain your privacy in a way that traditional asset ownership cannot. We will discuss all options that will provide you with the most flexibility in your planning goals.
Sale of Family property
After the death of a family member, sometimes it is either necessary or simply desirable to sell a family property. This can be the intersection of emotion and legal difficulties. We will provide the legal support you need to simplify the selling process and ensure a timely closing.
TESTIMONIALS:
"Julie, I can never thank you enough. I would have given up but you kept encouraging me to go on."" -Kathy S.