Wills Attorney Serving Danvers, MA

Without a valid will, Massachusetts law decides who gets your property — not you. Jordan & White drafts and executes legally valid wills for Danvers families and individuals from our office at Hathorne Office Park, so your assets, your children, and your estate go where you actually want them to go.

We’ve handled wills and estate planning for North Shore clients for years and know exactly what the local probate court expects. Your first conversation is free — call (978) 744-2811 or contact us online to start.

Without a Will, Massachusetts Default Laws Decide Everything for You

Your Spouse and Children Split Your Estate by a Fixed Formula, Not Your Preferences

If you die without a will, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B, § 2-102 sets your spouse’s share by formula — in some situations, only the first $100,000 plus half the remaining estate, with everything else divided among your children under § 2-103. A blended family, an unmarried partner, or a bequest to a friend or charity — none of it happens unless a will says so.

You Lose the Ability to Choose Who Raises Your Minor Children

Without a will nominating a guardian, a Massachusetts court decides who raises your children if something happens to you — a decision the law otherwise lets you make yourself under § 5-202.

A Massachusetts Will Must Meet Specific Legal Requirements, and We Handle Every One

Your Will Must Be in Writing, Signed, and Witnessed by Two People

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B, § 2-502 requires a written will, signed by you (or by someone else at your direction, in your presence), and signed by at least two witnesses who watched you sign or acknowledge it. Miss any one of these and the will can be challenged.

You Must Be 18 and of Sound Mind When You Sign

Under § 2-501, only someone 18 or older and of sound mind can execute a valid will. We confirm this is documented properly at signing.

Changing or Revoking Your Will Also Has to Follow the Law

A later will only cancels an earlier one if it does so expressly or by clear inconsistency, or if you perform a specific revoking act on the document, under § 2-507. We draft updates so there’s no ambiguity about which version controls.

Every Will We Draft Covers Three Core Decisions: Who Gets What, Who Raises Your Kids, and Who’s in Charge of Your Assets

Beneficiaries: We Word Every Bequest So It Holds Up, Not Just Sounds Right

A will that just lists “my house to my daughter” invites disputes if you own the house jointly, sell it later, or add a second property. We go through your full asset picture with you — real estate, bank and retirement accounts, business interests, personal property — and draft each bequest with the specificity to survive a change in your circumstances and stand up if a beneficiary or family member challenges it.

Guardianship: We Make Your Choice for Your Children Legally Binding

Naming a guardian isn’t a formality — it’s the one decision in your will that a Massachusetts court will look to first if something happens to you. We draft the guardian nomination exactly as § 5-202 requires, including a backup guardian in case your first choice can’t serve, so your decision controls instead of the court’s default process. This pairs with our work on guardian and conservator nominations for children.

Executor: We Help You Pick and Empower the Right Person to Run the Estate

Your executor is the person who inventories your assets, pays your debts, and carries your estate through probate after you’re gone. We help you weigh who’s actually equipped for that job — not just who’s closest to you — and draft the will with the powers and instructions that make their work straightforward instead of a guessing game.

Our Process: Free Consultation to a Signed, Valid Will

1. Free initial consultation. We review your family situation, assets, and goals, and flag anything — a blended family, out-of-state property, a family business — that needs special handling.
2. Drafting. We prepare a will that meets every requirement of § 2-502 and reflects the plan we discussed, along with any companion documents your situation calls for.
3. Supervised signing. We oversee execution so the writing, signature, and witness requirements are met correctly the first time.
4. Review after major life events. Marriage, divorce, a new child, or a move should trigger a review — we’re available for that as your circumstances change.

Who You’re Actually Working With

Jordan & White has been guiding North Shore families through estate planning from our office in Hathorne Office Park for years, under attorney Jonathan White. Jonathan is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts, and is a WealthCounsel-affiliated estate planning attorney — credentials reflected in recognitions like Best of Boston and Boston Magazine’s list of top lawyers. He walks clients through what their will or trust actually does before asking them to sign it, and stays available if questions come up after that first meeting.

Our firm runs on four things: zeal, integrity, gratitude, and growth. In practice, that means we don’t just hand you a template will and send you on your way — we handle your will alongside your other estate planning documents as one coordinated plan, and if your family ever needs probate or trust administration down the road, you’re calling people who already know your situation — not starting over with strangers at the worst possible time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write my own will in Massachusetts?

Yes — Massachusetts doesn’t require a lawyer for a will to be legally valid. But a self-drafted will is more likely to contain a mistake, like an ambiguous clause or an improperly witnessed signature, that surfaces only after you’re gone.

Does a will avoid probate in Massachusetts?

No. A will directs how probate distributes your assets — it doesn’t skip the process. If avoiding probate matters to you, ask us whether a revocable trust fits alongside your will.

How often should I update my will?

Update it after any major life change — marriage, divorce, a new child, a move, or a significant change in assets. Otherwise, we recommend a check-in every few years.

What makes a will invalid in Massachusetts?

Missing witness signatures, a testator who lacked capacity at signing, or execution that doesn’t meet § 2-502 can all open a will to challenge. Supervised drafting and signing prevents this.

What’s the difference between a will and a trust?

A will only takes effect after you die and directs distribution through probate. A revocable trust can hold and manage assets during your lifetime and often avoids probate for what it holds. Most complete estate plans use both — a will as the backstop for anything not already in the trust, and the trust for probate avoidance and lifetime management.

Call Jordan & White to Start Your Will Today

Putting off a will only leaves the decision to Massachusetts’s default rules. Call (978) 744-2811 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation at our Danvers office.