Author's posts
Oct 25
Estate Planning for Disabled Children
If your family includes a disabled child or grandchild, there are special considerations when making an estate plan. A primary concern is to assure that that the disabled child (minor and adult) is provided for financially, so that he or she has an adequate quality of life and standard of living. There are two types …
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You may be aware that the federal estate tax, which was repealed for 2010, resumes in 2011 on estates with assets exceeding $1 million dollars.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 …
May 12
Informal Probate is Coming to Massachusetts
The laws in Massachusetts affecting the probate of Wills, dying without a Will (intestate), and the administration of estates have undergone a complete transformation. Effective on July 1, 2011, the Massachusetts Probate Code (the “Code”) repeals the majority of the existing chapters and statutes on probate law in an effort to simplify, streamline and clarify …
Aug 28
Probate: Sweeping Changes to Guardianship Law
Article V of the newly adopted Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (the “Probate Code”) enacts long overdue changes intended to modernize the guardianship and conservatorship laws in Massachusetts. Effective July 1, 2009, the Probate Code seeks to protect the individual’s fundamental rights and minimize government intrusions imposed by the Probate Court when court involvement is necessary. …
Sep 15
Understanding the Nuts and Bolts of Wills
Do you need a legal will? Yes! A will allows you to determine who will receive your assets at your death and when they will receive it. For example, your will can give assets directly to specified recipients or direct your assets to a trust until the beneficiaries of that trust reach a specified age. …
Feb 03
10 Things Estate Planning Can Do for You
1. Provide for your immediate family. 2. Provide for other relatives who need help and guidance. 3. Get your property to beneficiaries quickly. 4. Plan for incapacity. 5. Minimize expenses. 6. Choose executors/trustees for your estate. 7. Ease the strain on your family. 8. Help a favorite cause. 9. Reduce taxes on your estate. 10. …
