My life was turned upside down when my mother passed away in 2022. We thought that the difficulties of losing a loved one would be the hardest part of the journey, but we were mistaken. After her passing, everything she owned became the property of her legal spouse, as dictated by Massachusetts' current interstate succession laws. When he subsequently passed in 2025, all of their belongings were left to his sibling, who did not share the same regard for my mother's legacy.

In a devastating move, my mother's cherished belongings — items from my childhood, heirlooms from grandparents and great-grandparents that moved here from Sweden, and all that my mother had worked so diligently for — were simply discarded. The most painful part of this ordeal was realizing that, legally, my mother’s identity and prior existence were erased. It felt as if she had been wiped clean from our family's narrative. All from my Step Fathers Sister who barely ever visited and whom was not there for my Parents the way that myself, my Spouse, my Aunt, and my Children have been. I did everything for my Parents, rushing to their side, fixing things when needed, and being by their side during health concerns and elder years.

This isn’t just my story. Many families have experienced similar heartbreak when skewed inheritance laws fail to protect the memories and possessions of loved ones. Massachusetts law does not currently provide enough safeguards for family members, leaving cherished possessions at the mercy of non relevant family members, strangers, and many who are only in it for the money. In many cases, the law does not reflect the wishes or investments of the person who passed away, leading to unnecessary conflicts and emotional distress.

It's time that Massachusetts re-evaluates and amends its interstate succession laws to better reflect the changing dynamics of families and to protect individuals from losing cherished memories. One potential solution is to involve and prioritize family members in the succession process. This change could provide a pathway for family members to secure sentimental belongings and preserve their loved one’s heritage. The same way that many surrounding States do, leaving family to split and share all that has been left behind instead of next of kin members who were never around acquiring everything. 

Additionally, the state could adhere to living wills and testaments, making the transition smoother and ensuring that the deceased's wishes are respected, averting distress and discord during an already difficult time. I have a will from my Mother who was too busy dying to get a notary or lawyer. She did have 2 legal witnesses along with many family members witness her wishes. Above that I have text messages as well as written letters from my Step Father regarding his wishes. All which would take years fighting in probate court all for current succession laws to ignore. I was given a chance by the Judge on my Mothers case but my Step Fathers family threw the items away as soon as the Judge on his case granted his Sister authority to sell the house. There is too much grey areas and tape in Massachusetts, unlike other States. 

Losing a loved one is hard enough without the added pain of losing their treasured possessions and memories. We need Massachusetts lawmakers to take definitive action to amend these laws so that they honor the intentions and preserve the heritage of those who pass away. The measures we propose not only make logical and emotional sense, but they also reflect a respectful and compassionate approach to honoring those who are no longer with us.

Please join me in calling on our state legislators to review and amend interstate succession laws in Massachusetts to protect and preserve family legacies. Sign this petition to make sure that no other family has to endure the devastation of losing the tangible memories of their loved ones due to outdated legal practices. Our heritage and the memories of those we've lost must be protected for future generations. Sign today to be part of this crucial change.