Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts

Re: benefciary of estate and estate intestate

Both of the previous answers are correct. You may be able to do this alone, but not without filing. If your matter is close to my office, you may contact me.

Re: benefciary of estate and estate intestate

If the monies you state are single accounts, not jointly owned, then Probate Court here you come.

Re: benefciary of estate and estate intestate

Ignore life insurance policies that name beneficiaries other than his estate, and ignore retirement accounts that name living people as beneficiaries and don't name trusts or the estate.

Take the total of the stock accounts and bank accounts individually titled; if that totals over $15,000, you need a "full administration" otherwise you can do a "voluntary administration." I recommend a lawyer even to handle a voluntary administration, but it's pretty much a necessity for a full administration.

There's no shortcut; stocks cannot be transferred out of his name (or even sold!) without proper paperwork which comes as a Court order, nor can you make withdrawals from bank accounts without proper paperwork.

I routinely handle such administration work, so contact me if you like at (617)527-0050.