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Top West Boylston, MA Probate Lawyers Near You

Probate Lawyers | Harvard Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

206 Ayer Rd, Harvard, MA 01451

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

311 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

370 Main St, Suite 970, Worcester, MA 01608

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

100 Front Street, Worcester, MA 01608

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

370 Main Street, Suite 800, Worcester, MA 01608

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

339 Main Street, Suite 300, Worcester, MA 01608

Probate Lawyers | Westborough Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

287 Turnpike Road, Suite 100, Westborough, MA 01581

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

370 Main Street, 12th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608

Probate Lawyers | North Grafton Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

210 Worcester Street, North Grafton, MA 01536

Probate Lawyers | Worcester Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

11 Pleasant Street, Suite 110, Worcester, MA 01609

Probate Lawyers | Milford Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

291 Main Street, Box 214, Milford, MA 01757

Probate Lawyers | Webster Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

154 Thompson Road, PO Box 1210, Webster, MA 01570

Probate Lawyers | Westborough Office | Serving West Boylston, MA

200 Fridberg Parkway, Suite 3003, Westborough, MA 01581-3954

West Boylston Probate Information

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Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In West Boylston

Lead Counsel independently verifies Probate attorneys in West Boylston and checks their standing with Massachusetts bar associations.

Our Verification Process and Criteria
  • Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
  • Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
  • Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
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Find a Probate Attorney near West Boylston

Understanding Probate

When an individual dies leaving a will, the legal process that takes place is called probate. Probate refers to how an estate is administered and processed through the legal system.

Probate Lawyers

The probate process can be confusing and overwhelming considering the circumstances. A West Boylston probate lawyer will help with the management of the decedent’s estate, any trusts he or she may have as well as any guardianships or conservatorships in question.

Probate cases often become very detailed and a probate lawyer will help ensure the rights of the deceased are fully protected. Attorneys also have the sensitivity to family dynamics and are knowledgeable in common problems with probate cases.

What is probate?

Probate is the process through which assets from a deceased person’s estate are transferred to beneficiaries, such as spouses, children, and other loved ones. In plain terms, reading a person’s will and distributing the items contained in it is part of the probate process. In some states, probate courts also handle matters related to guardianships and conservatorships of children or disabled adults.

What happens if you don’t do probate?

Without an estate plan in place, the probate process will often still go forward, but it can get messier. Someone who dies without a will in place will often have their assets given to any survivors, even if that would have gone against their wishes. Court battles can unfold among relatives who feel like they deserve more.

How long does probate take?

In a simple case where there are no disputes, and the deceased had a strong plan in place, the probate process of distributing assets and paying off debts may only take a few months to complete. If someone challenges the will or any other part of the estate distribution, it can take much longer.

How can you avoid probate?

If you want your beneficiaries to avoid the hassle of probate, you have several options. You can make sure to name beneficiaries of bank accounts, retirement accounts, and life insurance policies. You could also move your assets to a living trust, which will allow you to access them while you are still alive but will automatically pass to your beneficiaries upon your death.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

  • Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
  • Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
  • Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
  • Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

How will an attorney charge me?

A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how he/she will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:

  • Bill by the hour
  • Contingent fee agreement
  • Flat fee agreement

Depending on your specific legal situation, it’s possible that only one type of fee structure is available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. In a flat fee arrangement, an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.

Common legal terms explained

Plaintiff – a person or party who brings a lawsuit against another person(s) or party/parties in a court of law. Private persons or parties can only file suit in civil court.

Judgment – A decision of the court. Also known as a decree or order. Judgments handed down by the court are usually binding on the parties before the court.

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