FAQs

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

What happens to your business if you die without a succession plan in Massachusetts?

The Business Keeps Running Even When You Cannot Your business does not necessarily close when you die, but it may...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

How do you leave a vacation home to more than one child without starting a fight in Massachusetts?

Shared Ownership Is Not a Plan by Itself You can leave a vacation home to more than one child, but...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

What should I change in my estate plan when moving out of Massachusetts?

Make the Plan Part of the Move If you are leaving Massachusetts permanently, your estate plan should be part of...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

I moved to Massachusetts with an out-of-state will or trust. Does it still work?

Moving Here Does Not Cancel Your Plan Usually, moving to Massachusetts does not automatically invalidate a will or trust you...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

Who can open a safe deposit box after someone dies in Massachusetts?

Having the Key Is Not Enough Finding the key to your parent’s safe deposit box does not necessarily mean the...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

What happens to firearms in an estate in Massachusetts?

Inheriting Firearms Takes More Than a Will Firearms can be inherited in Massachusetts, but they cannot simply be handed out...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

Does a trust or estate need its own tax ID number in Massachusetts?

Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No Sometimes it does, and sometimes it does not. The answer depends on what kind of trust...

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

Which assets should not go into a revocable trust in Massachusetts?

Not Everything Belongs in the Trust Once people sign a revocable trust, they often want to put everything into it....

Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning

What happens when a minor inherits money in Massachusetts?

A Child Can Inherit, but Can’t Manage It A child can inherit money in Massachusetts, but that does not mean...