Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts

Unmarried couple,no will with combined possesions

My fiance passed away suddenly, there was no will, his family is next of kin. We owned a house together the majority of the furniture in the house was his before we moved in together, I sold my house and gave away my furnishings. (not needing 2 sets of everything) Do I have rights to the furniture in the house we owned together?


Asked on 10/24/06, 10:19 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Peter Dempsey Peter M. Dempsey, Attorney At Law

Re: Unmarried couple,no will with combined possesions

I assume that your name is on the deed. if so, then were you listed as tenants in common or joint tenants with right of survivorship? If the former, then his estate has a partial interest in the house. If it is the latter, then you own the house outright.

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Answered on 10/25/06, 9:58 am
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: Unmarried couple,no will with combined possesions

iF YOUR QUESTION PERTAINS ONLY TO THE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE HOUSE AND NOT THE REAL ESTATE ITSELF, THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS TO PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT WAS OWNED SOLELY BY THE DECEDENT BECAUSE THAT PASSES TO HIS ESTATE UNLESS YOU CAN NEGOTIATE IN PERSON OR THROUGH AN ATTORNEY WITH THEM.

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Answered on 10/25/06, 12:44 pm


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