Call Today For a FREE Phone Consultation(617) 712-2000

Merrimack Valley Estate Planning Lawyer

Merrimack Valley MapMerrimack Valley Estate Planning Lawyer Michael J. Hurley is a Massachusetts attorney known for his dedication in achieving the desired results for his clients as fast and cost effectively as possible. If you live in North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence, Haverhill, Chelmsford, or Lowell, call Merrimack Valley estate planning lawyer for a free phone consultation concerning Probate, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Estate Settlement, Probate, Estate Litigation, Real Estate matters, closings and other issues.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

I represent clients in the full range of Merrimack Valley estate planning issues including Probate, Trust and Probate Administration, Will Contests, Fiduciary Accountings, Wills, Trusts, and other estate planning documents. I also assist clients with Massachusetts Probate Court proceedings relating to discovery of decedent’s assets and breach of fiduciary duty. It is very common where a family needs immediate help to probate a Will to obtain the appointment of a Personal Representative (Executor) or an Estate Administrator. Other common issues involve the protection of a decedent’s assets where there is a breach of fiduciary duty or a Will or Trust needs to be contested. As a Merrimack Valley estate planning attorney, I appear throughout Massachusetts Probate Courts to represent my client’s interests and promote the settlement of estate affairs.


Merrimack Valley Estate Planning Lawyer - working remotelyWe Can Work Remotely

In today’s age of having everything brought to our door by Amazon, Walmart, Whole Foods and Uber Eats, it is good to know that most estate planning services can be done remotely by phone and email. Estate planning done in person –or remotely– either way, you will receive sophisticated, top-drawer legal services.

Expedited Wills and Trusts Service

We receive many ‘last minute’ URGENT requests for estate planning documents when someone is facing an upcoming major hospital surgery or is in the ICU following an unexpected illness or accident. Michael is very much aware that many Wills, Living Trusts, and Health Care Directives are urgent and needed as soon as can be drafted for signature.

We Can Come to Your Home, Office, Hospital or Nursing Home

Come to Your Home, Office, Hospital RoomYou need not travel to our offices in North Andover or downtown Boston! We can get the process going over the phone and complete it remotely. If you need to meet in person, you are welcome to come to our offices, or Mr. Hurley can arrange a visit to your home, work, hospital room or nursing home.

If the clock is running and you’re concerned about time – CALL US… Let’s see if our compassionate and caring firm can meet your deadlines and expectations. We are in this business to help individuals and families!


Real Estate

Merrimack Valley real estate lawyer – Whether you are a first-time home buyer or bought and sold many properties, I provide practical and legal guidance to all aspects of a real estate transaction including: contracts, closings, deed preparation, and resolution of title issues. I welcome clients in matters involving single and multi-family homes, condominiums, town homes, ranches, farms, vacation homes, commercial and industrial buildings. When a client is involved in a real estate deal, it is important to discuss the details of the contract including lender-approval contingency clauses, the closing date, property inspections and inspection contingencies. I work tirelessly to make sure a closing will occur smoothly and efficiently.

Make an appointment with me for commercial lease drafting, lease review prior to signing, and lease negotiation. Just because a lease looks ‘standard’ and not subject to negotiation, don’t be fooled. In the commercial world, EVERYTHING in commercial leasing is negotiable and many legal paragraphs that might protect the commercial landlord or tenant are in need of review depending on the terms of the specific lease. You want to avoid situations where you say later. “Gosh, how did that paragraph get omitted?”

FIRST, it is not a commercial landlord’s responsibility to protect you from common legal paragraphs that more savvy business people would INSIST are included in their commercial lease. SECOND, the Courts agree that it is not the landlord’s business to look after your best interests! The Courts expect business people to (1) be expert in commercial leases, and if they are not experts, that they (2) retain a real estate lawyer to review any lease before signing the lease. Unlike residential leases that have endless consumer protection law protections, once you sign a commercial lease you are on the hook to that contract and on your own.

As a Massachusetts real estate attorney, I also represent clients in Court – on matters such as the validity of deeds, encroachments, and landlord-tenant eviction issues and lease disputes.

Landlord Tenant matters – As a Merrimack Valley real estate lawyer, I represent my client’s interests in landlord-tenant matters in Merrimack Valley and throughout Massachusetts.


Guardianship

Valley Guardianship lawyerMerrimack Valley Guardianship lawyer helps individuals petition the court. – You will need to file a Petition for Guardianship (MPC 120) in a Massachusetts Probate and Family Court to be appointed a guardian to make some or all decisions for an incapacitated person. The person filing the MPC 120 Petition requesting to be named guardian is called the ‘petitioner,’ while the person believed to be incapacitated is called the ‘respondent.’ Guardianship requests can become litigious since family and friends might contest:

  • the need for a Guardian
  • the individual chosen to be the Guardian
  • the scope of the Guardian’s power
  • a Guardianship accounting

As an experienced Massachusetts Guardianship lawyer, I work closely with clients to promote their interests in Guardianship matters as well as the interests of the individual alleged to be incapacitated. It is common that Guardianship cases require quick action to help the family of the incapacitated person make serious medical decisions or protect their assets. It is possible to file a Petition with the Court quickly. I can appear for clients in Guardianship matters involving incapacity in Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, Lowell, Chelmsford, or anywhere across the Merrimack Valley and beyond.

Call now to take advantage of a Free Phone Consultation if you have questions regarding a Massachusetts Guardianship issue.


Estate Planning

Merrimack Valley estate planning lawyer Michael J. HurleyAs a Merrimack Valley estate planning lawyer, I advise clients in the drafting and implementation of estate planning documents that clearly document my client’s desires regarding the disposition and protection of their property and assets for surviving family and beneficiaries. Moreover, I help clients prepare their Last Wills whether a ‘Simple Will‘ or more complex. Without a Will, Massachusetts State law determines who inherits your property. A Durable Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Living Will are all important documents that make up a “basic estate plan.’ I can draft all these documents quickly and cost effectively.

A ‘Living Trust’ should be carefully considered by – people who own a home, are married, and have children. Those who have acquired a lot of personal property, vehicles, furniture, jewelry and other assets, might also appreciate the additional protections of a Living Trust. A Living Trust offers better long-term protection from incapacity. Moreover, when you pass, your family can avoid the cost, time, and loss of privacy of having to deal with the probate process.

READ MORE about AVOIDING PROBATE

Set Up a Day, Evening or Weekend Appointment Now

To speak to Merrimack Valley estate planning lawyer, Michael J. Hurley call (617) 712-2000.

The initial phone consultation is free to answer some of your questions and make introductions. If you want to move forward, we offer a reduced fee initial sit-down strategy meeting where I will personally review your unique circumstances in our North Andover or Boston offices, your home, your business, or even at your corner Starbucks.

If you cannot call right now, email me below:

Contact Us