By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com We see this scenario often: A parent passes away and one of the decedent’s children, a beneficiary of the trust, takes over because they were named trustee of the parent’s trust. Other siblings are also beneficiaries. Since no one in the family is familiar with …
Probate & Trust Administration
Avoiding Probate
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com When an individual dies owning property solely in his or her name, a formal procedure (“probate”) is usually needed to determine to whom the property should pass. If there is a valid Will, the property will pass according to its terms. If there is no …
Where to Keep Your Estate Planning Documents
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com You have planned ahead and decided how you want your affairs to be handled upon your passing. You have signed all of your Foundational Estate Planning documents: A Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Personal Directive (sometimes called a Living Will), …
Avoiding Probate in Massachusetts
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com When an individual dies owning property solely in his or her name, a formal procedure (“probate”) is usually needed to determine to whom the property should pass. If there is a valid Will, the property will pass according to its terms. If there is no …
Probating Newly Discovered Assets After the Close of Probate
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com When an individual dies owning property solely in his or her name, then a formal procedure (known as “Probate”.) is usually needed to determine to whom the property should pass. If there is a valid Will, the property will pass according to its terms. If …
Probating Newly Discovered Assets After the Close of ProbateRead More
Avoiding Probate
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com When an individual dies owning property solely in his or her name, then a formal procedure (“probate”) is usually needed to determine to whom the property should pass. If there is a valid will, the property will pass according to its terms. If there is …
My Dead Relative Received a Stimulus Check. Can We Keep It?
Written by Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. People who receive stimulus checks for relatives who are no longer with us are scratching their heads wondering what they should do with the money. Keep it? Deposit it into an estate account? Send it back? Donate it to charity? Something else? Fortunately, the IRS has specific guidance on what …
My Dead Relative Received a Stimulus Check. Can We Keep It?Read More
The Risks with Unequal Inheritances
Written by Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. In order to avoid conflict, many parents and/or grandparents may decide to leave their children the same inheritance, although equal may not always be equitable. With the pandemic bringing the drafting and execution of more Wills, this issue is coming up more frequently. One stark example of this situation …