Probate
What is Probate?
Probate is the process of the court overseeing the distribution of a person’s affairs after he or she has passed away.
This includes paying the debts of the decedent and transferring title of the assets from the person who has passed away to the new owner. Each state has its own set of laws that govern the probate process; however, the first step is filing the death certificate and the petition to allow the will (if there is one) and appoint a personal representative. The person representative is the person who is in charge of administering the estate and is tasked with complying with all of the requisite rules and laws. This includes various filings that will have to be made periodically with the court throughout the process. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, you can generally anticipate the process to take about a year.
Administering an Estate is Not Easy
After someone you love passes away, a perfect storm exists.
Already emotionally drained from loss, plus the heavy burden of distributing his or her affairs. From the physical work of cleaning out homes and gathering up personal possessions to the more technical tasks of closing accounts, dealing with creditors, and distributing assets, there is a lot to be done and it can quickly start to feel overwhelming. The good news, however, is that you do not have to do this alone.
Administering an estate is typically not an easy job. Our experienced probate and trust administration team is here to help ease the burden and let you focus on healing.
When a Loved One Passes
It is important to take action quickly with regard to their estate administration.
Even though you may be under a great deal of stress after your loved one passes away, it is important to take action quickly with regard to their estate administration.
You don't have to do this alone, our team can help you every step of the way.
- Call an experienced estate administration attorney.
- Obtain multiple copies of your loved one’s death certificate.
- If your loved one had a will or a trust, obtain copies and carefully review their terms with the guidance of your attorney.
- Gather as much information as you can about your loved one’s finances.
- Monitor your loved one’s mail so that you can address bills.
- Do not worry if you are not clear what they had before they passed away, you are not alone and we are here to help.
