Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Managing Partner at Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C.
What if you were in an accident tomorrow and couldn't make your own financial or medical decisions? Many people assume that a will is all they need to protect their family and assets. But the truth is,...
Family conflict can undermine even a carefully drafted trust by creating disputes over interpretation, control, and fairness. When disagreements escalate, they can delay distributions, increase costs, and lead to litigation that weakens the plan’s intended outcomes.
Why Do Family Conflicts Arise in Trust Administration?Tension...
Written by Sandra Deluca, MSW, LICSW, C-ASWCM, Alder Marketing President - New England
For many, getting the legal paperwork right feels like the finish line. The will is signed. The healthcare proxy is in place....
When someone passes away, heirs often assume their role is passive, simply waiting to receive their inheritance. In reality, heirs are often more involved in the legal, financial, and practical aspects of probate than they expect, especially if they serve as the estate’s personal representative or take an active role in the...
By Guest Author: Michelle Cox, Owner of & Following Seas, LLC
We’ve all heard the advice: use strong, complex passwords. Include numbers, symbols, uppercase letters. Don’t reuse them. Change them regularly. On paper, it makes sense. In practice, it’s difficult to maintain.
The average person now...
By: Daniel M. Surprenant, Esq., CELA, Managing Partner
I've seen firsthand that one of the most important decisions you'll make when setting up your estate plan is choosing your trustee. This is the person or company you'll trust to manage and distribute your assets according to your...
When an estate plan breaks down after someone dies, the options are limited but not nonexistent. In Massachusetts, you may be able to address certain issues through probate proceedings, trust administration actions, or by resolving disputes among beneficiaries. What can be corrected depends on the documents in place and the nature of...
Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Managing Partner at Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C.
As a managing partner of a Massachusetts-based estate planning and elder law firm, I often see firsthand the profound impact—both positive and challenging—that inheritances can have on families. The impending "Great Boomer Bequeathment," where trillions of dollars...
Estate administration in Massachusetts typically takes 12 to 16 months, although simpler estates may be completed sooner, and more complex matters can take several years. The timeline depends on the type of probate, the assets involved, and whether any disputes or complications arise.
When you are responsible for settling...
Serving as an executor, known as a personal representative in Massachusetts, can feel like a full-time responsibility when you are handling paperwork, deadlines, and family expectations. If you are struggling to keep up, you do not have to manage everything alone. Massachusetts law allows personal representatives to delegate tasks and get help...
