Non-traditional family arrangements are more common than ever. Single individuals are seeking to become the legal parent of a child outside of a marriage or committed relationship, whether biologically or through adoption. Often, the child’s legal parent enters into a relationship with someone who assumes caretaking functions for that child, and develops, over time, a …
August 20, 2010 archive
Aug 20
Tax Free Gifting
You may be aware that the federal estate tax, which was repealed for 2010, resumes in 2011 on estates with assets exceeding $1 million dollars. The Massachusetts estate tax remains in effect and also taxes estate assets over $1 million. In addition to worrying about estate taxes, the law also requires you to pay a …
Aug 20
What’s in a Name?
I recall the time, as a joke, a relative made a piece of ceramic “art” and signed it “Picasso.” He then told our family that he had purchased an original ceramic ashtray by the late, great artist. We all had a good laugh. But had this event happened today, and if Picasso were still alive, …
Aug 20
Using Strategic and Tactical Decision Making to Control Litigation Costs
It is, perhaps, too obvious to be worth noting that the costs of litigation are a primary source of friction between clients and their attorneys. Though a good attorney will do his or her best to advise a client of the likely costs of litigation at the outset of a case, all too often, as …
