Wills & Trusts

What Happens If You Do Not Have A Will?

When you call Coleman & MacDonald Law Office, you will find friendly, caring professionals ready to listen and offer guidance. Creating a will is not legally required, but its benefits cannot be overstated. Wills are often the basis or starting point for a fuller estate plan. They state your intentions and wishes for your estate and your loved ones when you pass away or if you become incapacitated.

You need to understand a few crucial things:

1. Wills involve the appropriate descent and distribution of assets from an individual to others at death.

2. A will, as a document itself, is a statement of intention only. It is not a legally significant document until the author dies and the will is brought to probate court to be authenticated (“allowed”).

If you do not have a will and your assets are owned individually at death, your estate requires an “administration.” Similar to probate, the proceeding is typically complex, takes a minimum of one year, is expensive and is public.

In Massachusetts, for those without a will, the commonwealth decides how property is distributed in accordance with the intestacy statute. This may not be the distribution result you desire. That is why it is always important to have a will.

With over 40 years of combined experience, we provide high-level attorney services to all clients. Our attorneys studied at the Massachusetts School of Law and are ready to offer you their expertise. We can help defend you against cases involving: 

We offer a free initial consultation to get the process started.