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Arlene L. Kasarjian

Author's details

Name: Arlene L. Kasarjian
Date registered: October 25, 2010

Latest posts

  1. Adult Adoption: Choosing a New Family — June 2, 2017
  2. Do You Know What’s In Your Will? — January 31, 2017
  3. Volunteer Without Fear — November 28, 2016
  4. Misclassifying Workers as Independent Contractors — September 27, 2016
  5. A takeaway from Prince’s death: Do not die without a will — May 24, 2016

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Mar
14

Lawyers and Litigants: Beware of Frivolous Lawsuits

There is a statute in Massachusetts, G.L. c.231, section 6F, that authorizes an award of reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in litigation when “all or substantially all” of the opposing party’s claims are “wholly insubstantial, frivolous and not advanced in good faith.” If a judge finds that the claims meet that standard, the statute mandates the… Continue reading »

Aug
23

The Supreme Court’s Landmark DOMA Decision

In a historic ruling on June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which defined marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife for the purpose of all federal laws. DOMA prohibited married same-sex couples from taking advantage… Continue reading »

Mar
13

Don’t Forget About Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan

For many of us, our primary means of communication is email. Some of us like to keep in touch with friends and family by sending “tweets” or updating our Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. We store family photos and other important information online, on a website or in the “Cloud.” We access our financial assets, such… Continue reading »

Oct
11

Highlights of the Newly Enacted Uniform Trust Code

On July 8, 2012, Massachusetts enacted the Uniform Trust Code (UTC), which codifies the existing laws pertaining to trusts, but also clarifies, simplifies and modernizes the rules governing the administration of trusts. Massachusetts joins more than twenty states in adopting the UTC with the intent of providing trustees with greater flexibility in the administration of… Continue reading »

Jul
03

More on…Estate Planning

I am always amazed at how often I hear someone say that they do not think they need a will because they are either not married or do not have children. In fact, that is all the more reason to have an estate plan! I recently came across a statistic that is alarming: 50% of… Continue reading »

Mar
21

The Reluctant Estate Plan Client

The greatest challenge I face in my estate planning practice is motivating clients to follow through with an estate plan. I have seen firsthand the financial and emotional toll on families when the proper planning is not done. Yet as much as I try to educate clients and potential clients about how proper estate planning… Continue reading »

Nov
11

Overcoming Interstate Adoption Issues

A. What is the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children? The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (“ICPC”) is a federal law which establishes uniform legal and administrative procedures governing the interstate placement of children. The ICPC is premised on the belief that children requiring out-of-state placement will receive the same protections and… Continue reading »

Nov
11

Offering the Different Adoption Options

A. Private Placement Adoptions There are several ways to adopt a child in Massachusetts: through a private agency, a public agency, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (“DCF”), if adopting a child through foster care or without either in limited circumstances where the child is a relative. Private placement adoptions are adoptions which are… Continue reading »

Sep
22

News from the Estate Planning Department

You may or may not be aware that the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 contains several changes that favorably impact estate planning and taxes through 2012. These laws, however, will expire on December 31, 2012, and without further action by Congress, will revert to the laws in effect in… Continue reading »

May
31

Business Succession Planning: Be Prepared

According to the Small Business Administration, approximately 90% of all businesses are closely held and family owned. However, of those, only 30% succeed into the next generation, and a mere 15% survive into a third generation. Why do 70% of family businesses fail to succeed into the next generation? The primary reason is that family… Continue reading »

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