Are you currently navigating the challenging task of settling your loved one’s affairs after their passing? We extend our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. We understand that death is a difficult experience, regardless of the circumstances or the closeness of your relationship. And when it comes to probate – a complex legal process in Massachusetts that distributes a person’s assets to their beneficiaries – the weight of mourning becomes even more burdensome.
Our dedicated probate attorney in Southborough is here to assist you in shouldering the legal responsibilities and handling all the necessary paperwork, allowing you the space to focus on moving forward. We invite you to call us today to arrange a free consultation, where we can provide further details about how our firm can provide you with the assistance you need.
How does Probate Work?
When a loved one passes away, even if they had a will, it is essential to go through a formal legal process to ensure their wishes are carried out correctly. As the named executor, typically a close family member, you will play a crucial role in this process under the court’s supervision. At The Socius Law Firm, our Southborough probate lawyer is here to provide the expertise and support you need during this challenging time.
We understand that this can be a complex and emotional process, which is why we offer compassionate guidance every step of the way. Our experienced team will assist you in submitting the necessary documents, including the will and death certificate, to the court. From there, we will help you navigate the various tasks involved to ensure your loved one’s affairs are settled properly and their final wishes are respected.
These tasks include notifying creditors and heirs of the probate process, meticulously inventorying and appraising assets, resolving outstanding debts, fulfilling tax obligations, and ultimately distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries per the terms of the will. Our dedicated probate lawyer will work diligently to streamline these tasks and find the most efficient resolution for you.
With The Socius Law Firm by your side, you can trust in our expertise and commitment to achieving positive outcomes. We have a proven track record of success in guiding clients through the probate process, making it as smooth and straightforward as possible. Rest assured that your needs and concerns are our top priority, and we will handle the legal complexities while providing you with peace of mind.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Southborough probate lawyer and take the first step towards efficiently settling your loved one’s estate. Let us shoulder the legal burden, so you can focus on honoring your loved one’s memory.
Can You Avoid Probate?
With Probate Comes Tedious Tasks and Time Consumption. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being an estate executor, you’ll quickly realize the burden of navigating unfamiliar court proceedings and endless stacks of paperwork. Every decision you make carries the weight of potential court fees, and even lawsuits from creditors. On top of that, unpleased family members may confront you about asset distribution. It’s an ordeal no one wants to face.
But fear not! In the absence of a trust or comprehensive estate plan, there is a glimmer of hope called “voluntary administration”. This simplified version of probate might just be the solution you’re seeking. If your loved one’s property is valued at less than $25,000, you may qualify for this option, eliminating the need for traditional probate steps. Allow us to guide you through the available routes and explore your best options.
How Our Southborough Probate Attorney Can Help You
Simplify the probate process and find comfort during difficult times with the help of Attorney Todd Rosenfield. With almost three decades of experience guiding grieving families in Massachusetts, he understands the challenges and can provide the support you need. Save yourself time, money, and stress by partnering with an attorney who truly cares. Don’t wait – schedule a free consultation now to learn your next steps and start moving forward.
Questions Our Clients Often Ask
At the Socius Law Firm, we believe estate planning is a process where you design a blueprint that:
- allows you to control your property when you are alive and well
- enables you to control how your & your loved ones are cared for in the event of incapacity
- allows you to control how your assets are managed, used and passed in the event of your death
- enables you to save every last tax dollar, professional and court cost.
While this is typically accomplished through a set of estate planning documents, it is crucial to keep in mind that estate planning is not only about the documents themselves. It is about making a series of informed decisions and taking a series of thoughtful actions, all of which are designed to ensure that in the event of your incapacity or death, things will transition in the way you would have hoped, with the least disruption possible and with minimal or no intrusion by the court.
Learn more about the Socius Law Firm's unique 6-Step Estate Planning Process.
Both a Will and a Trust are useful estate planning documents, but understanding their differences will help you decide which is right for your particular estate planning objectives and personal circumstances.
Find out why a Will alone may not be the best choice for you and your family by viewing our side-by-side comparison chart.
As the foundation of the modern estate plan, a Revocable Trust helps you control how your assets are managed and used while you are alive and well, if you become incapacitated, and after you die.
A Living Trust enables the coordinated distribution of all of your assets, while maintaining the greatest degree of asset control and flexibility - both during your lifetime and after death.
There are many important benefits of Trusts beyond federal and MA estate tax considerations such as:
- Avoiding probate and ensuring a smooth transition
- Protecting assets
- Planning for incapacity or disability (without Court oversight)
- Controlling distributions to beneficiaries (give what you have…to whom you want, the way you want, when you want)
- Maintaining 100% privacy
We offer four levels of comprehensive estate planning - each highly customized to meet your unique family situation. Plan fees are dependent upon your personal values, goals and objectives.
From starter plans primarily for families with young children and little in the way of financial wealth, to more robust plans for well-established families who want to avoid probate, provide asset protection and eliminate or minimize estate taxes, we offer estate planning levels to meet your needs and objectives. Estate planning fees generally range from $1,200.00 up to $8,500.00 on the high end for an extensive estate plan. We also offer several advanced estate planning options for those who need even more planning.
At the Socius Law Firm, we have established a unique estate planning process where we listen and learn about you, your family and personal circumstances, thoroughly explain the estate planning options available to you and custom design, implement and maintain a comprehensive estate plan that reflects your specific concerns, fears, goals and objectives. Our process is designed to ensure your confidence at each step along the way, from the initial planning meeting through the delivery and implementation of your completed plan and beyond. The ultimate outcome of our estate planning process is to give you peace of mind.
We all like to put off important tasks and wait until the very last minute, this includes estate planning. There is always “something” that would be more fun to spend time doing or money on. However, honestly there are few things that are more important and none that are a better investment for yourself and your family. Take the first step….
Probate is a process whereby the Probate Court supervises the transfer of assets from a person who has passed away to the new lawful owners.
Probate is generally a long, frustrating and expensive process. Much of our practice is devoted to using trusts and other planning tools to help our clients avoid probate altogether. However, for families who did not do probate avoidance planning, we are frequently hired to guide them through the probate process.
If you become mentally incapacitated, you won’t be able to manage your own financial affairs. Many are under the mistaken impression that their spouse or adult children can automatically take over for them in case they become incapacitated. The truth is that for others to be able to manage your finances, they must petition the Probate Court to declare you legally incompetent.
This process can be lengthy, costly and stressful. Even if the court appoints the person you would have chosen, they may have to come back to the Probate Court every year and show how they are spending and investing the money.
If you want your family to be able to immediately take over for you without Probate Court interference, you must designate a person or persons that you trust with the use of a Durable Power of Attorney.
A Health Care Proxy allows you to appoint someone you trust - for example, a family member or close friend to make decisions on your behalf about medical treatment options if you lose the ability to decide for yourself. Without a Health Care Proxy, your loved ones would have to petition the Probate Court for authority to make medical decisions on your behalf.
In addition to a Health Care Proxy, you should also have a Living Will which informs others of your preferred medical treatments such as the use of extraordinary measures should you become permanently unconscious or terminally ill.
At the Socius Law Firm, we have developed an expertise in planning for the well-being and care of children should the unthinkable happen. We call this advanced legal planning — Kids’ Safeguard Planning.
Kids’ Safeguard Planning is based on the premise that a Will alone is simply not enough to protect minor children should both parents die or become incapacitated.
If you are a parent of minor children, your estate plan needs to include Kids’ Safeguard Planning to ensure your children will always be taken care of by the people you want, in the way you want, and never put in a situation you wouldn’t like.