Settling a loved one's estate — handled with care, clarity, and genuine support at every step.
Probate is Massachusetts's court-supervised process for settling someone's estate. When someone dies with a will (or without one), the courts get involved to make sure creditors are paid, taxes are handled, and assets reach the right beneficiaries. It sounds straightforward, but it's not.
The process typically takes 12-18 months, sometimes longer. There are forms to file, creditors to notify, assets to inventory and appraise, taxes to calculate and pay, and finally distributions to make. The executor (you, if you've been named) is personally responsible for getting it right. And if you make a mistake, it can cost the estate money — or worse, expose you to liability.
This is where Scott comes in. He guides executors through every step, handles the court filings, coordinates with creditors and beneficiaries, and makes sure everything is done correctly so you can focus on grieving, not worrying.
Named as executor in a will? You need guidance on your responsibilities, court filings, and legal obligations.
Probate becomes more complex when the estate includes real property that must be transferred or sold.
When beneficiaries disagree or assets are contested, you need legal guidance to protect the estate.
When someone dies without a will, the court uses intestacy laws to decide who gets what. That's complex.
We file the will and petition with the Probate Court, get you appointed as executor, and obtain official court orders.
We send formal notices to all known creditors and heirs. This starts the creditor claim period (typically 4 months).
We identify all estate assets, get appraisals where needed, and file an inventory with the court.
We handle tax filings, calculate estate taxes if any, and pay legitimate creditor claims in the proper order.
Once all debts are paid and the court approves, we distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
We file a final accounting and petition to close the estate with the court. Then you're officially done.
Managing a trust is similar to probate, but faster and private — guidance for trustees of all kinds.
Learn MoreAvoid probate altogether with a well-drafted trust — the best defense is planning ahead.
Learn MoreA comprehensive plan with a trust keeps your loved ones out of probate and saves time, money, and stress.
Learn MoreLet Scott guide you through every step of the process with care and expertise.