Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts

my father's estate

My recently deceased father did not

have a will. He was an alcoholic and I

did not see him often as I live

abroad. His lawyer, who claims to

have been my father's friend,

informed me that 2 years ago he

became the co-owner of my father's

condo, and on my father's passing

became sole owner. I looked up the

deed, and it does indeed show this to

be true. The lawyer says that my

father's condo was heavily

mortgaged and he was helping him

out financially even though ''he tried

to convince him not to do it at the

time.'' According to this lawyer, my

father's only assets were two bank

accounts totalling around $2400. I

am facing funeral expenses of

$4000. I am not sure how to get

ahold of the money in my father's

bank accounts to help with the

funeral costs. I'm also not sure

whether I can have the funeral bills

sent to the lawyer, as I'm unclear

what his official role is. I have a

strong suspicion that he may have

acted unethically, but am not sure

what I can do about it.


Asked on 6/06/07, 7:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alexandra Golden Golden Law Center

Re: my father's estate

Certainly the lawyer's behavior raises MY eyebrows. In fact, in the past week, the Massachusetts attorney general has brought several criminal cases involving attorneys "helping" clients who faced losing their homes to foreclosure by taking title to their homes.

I really think you need to speak at more length with an attorney concerning starting with a petition to administer the estate so that you can get the legal right to further investigate the attorney's actions. I also suggest that you contact the Consumer Protection Bureau at the Mass. AG's office (I'd post the number, but this system won't let me).

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

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Answered on 6/06/07, 8:12 am


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