Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts

Hello Legal folks,

I am a landlord who is due rent and other money. The situation is as follows, I found the woman dead in her apartment. I telephoned the police in Dudley, MA 01571 and informed them of the dead woman. Can I expect to get money from her estate or personal belongings? I have a unit that I will have to clean out to get it ready for the next tenant. Can I put some sort of leane on her estate?

Waiting to hear from you, Dom DiMare


Asked on 11/04/10, 3:20 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Christopher Vaughn-Martel Charles River Law Partners, LLC

I'm sorry to hear that you lost your tenant in this way. You will want to track down your tenant's family and determine who the executor or administrator of her estate is/will be. You can certainly make a claim against the estate for any rent owing. If you would like some assistance in managing this situation, please feel free to contact my office at 617-357-4898.

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Answered on 11/09/10, 3:29 pm

All you do is look for her family and if they open an estate, The estate should be opened in your county at the probate court. You file a claim against the estate. The problem will be whether she has any money and who opens the estate for her.

I would ask the police if anyone claimed the body and if they know who her next of kin are. The estate owes you the money but not her next of kin.

If you need assistance please feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 11/09/10, 3:37 pm


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