DGVE Law

DGVE law is a wills, trusts and estates firm in Hingham serving clients across Boston’s South Shore. Its work covers estate planning documents such as wills and trusts, health care directives that let trusted people access medical information and make decisions in an emergency, probate for families settling an estate with or without a will, and trust administration help for trustees who need to carry out a loved one’s plan correctly. The firm describes its style as holistic, empathetic and relaxed.

Attorney Danielle G. Van Ess founded the firm in Hingham in 2008. She and her team guide clients through Massachusetts probate, a process that can be slow, costly and public, explaining each step from petitioning the court and appointment as personal representative to obtaining letters of authority. For trustees, the firm helps organize financial paperwork and explains fiduciary duties. The team aims to translate complex legal terms into plain language.

What to Know

• Massachusetts has three types of probate, each with its own requirements and forms.
• Letters of authority are needed to access a loved one’s bank, investment and even social media accounts after death.
• The firm operates with an emphasis on environmentally conscientious practices.
• It recommends that everyone 18 and older have proper health care directives in place.