Navigating the Legal Landscape of Massachusetts Long-Term Care Planning
Friday, December 16, 2016: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Navigating the Legal Landscape of Massachusetts Long-Term Care Planning Read More »
massachusetts estate planning attorney
Incapacity Documents Critical in Massachusetts Estate Planning
An adult daughter cannot get her father admitted to a nursing home, even though he suffers from dementia and cannot care for himself. A parent cannot get information regarding medical treatment for her 19-year old son, who is awaiting surgery after an accident on his college campus. Doctors cannot terminate life support for a comatose
Incapacity Documents Critical in Massachusetts Estate Planning Read More »
Avoiding Probate in Massachusetts Estate Planning
In the estate planning context, “probate” is the process by which a person’s Will is submitted, reviewed and approved so that its terms can be enforced. Avoiding probate is possible only when all of your assets get distributed outside of your Will. Why do people want to avoid probate? First, probate costs money and time.
Avoiding Probate in Massachusetts Estate Planning Read More »
Massachusetts and Rhode Island Life Estates Come At A Price
As a Rhode Island and Massachusetts estate planning attorney, I frequently work with clients interested in protecting their house from nursing homes and Medicaid. Since neither a Massachusetts Homestead exemption nor a Rhode Island homestead will help in this regard, a life estate is a popular method of achieving some measure of protection.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island Life Estates Come At A Price Read More »
Recent Estate Planning Testimonial
Here is a recent testimonial from a happy client. Seeking estate planning, I found Tom on the Internet and chose him without viewing any references. I made a great choice. After spending 10 minutes with Tom it was obvious that he is an expert on Massachusetts estate planning. I needed everything – a will, all
Recent Estate Planning Testimonial Read More »
Middle Class Also Feels Pinch of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Estate Tax
Many Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents are surprised to learn that, despite being of relatively modest means, their estate will likely be subject to a Massachusetts or Rhode Island estate tax. The Massachusetts estate tax kicks in at $1 million, while the Rhode Island estate tax threshold is just under $900,000. While that may sound
Middle Class Also Feels Pinch of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Estate Tax Read More »
Rhode Island and Massachusetts Estate Planning Not Just for Wealthy
As a Massachusetts and Rhode Island estate planning attorney, a common misperception I encounter is that someone needs to be wealthy to need an “estate plan.” That is a terrible misunderstanding. The term “estate plan” refers, in part, to those documents such as wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, and trusts which protect us,
Rhode Island and Massachusetts Estate Planning Not Just for Wealthy Read More »
Proper Massachusetts Estate Planning Should Include Power of Attorney
As a Massachusetts estate planning attorney, I have learned that most people equate estate planning with wills only. We tend to focus primarily on how our assets will be distributed and on financially providing for our survivors. These are obviously essential considerations in estate planning. Equally important, however, is how our affairs will be
Proper Massachusetts Estate Planning Should Include Power of Attorney Read More »
Reducing or Avoiding Massachusetts Estate Tax Through Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
If you are likely to fall into the Massachusetts estate tax bracket, one tax savings option to strongly consider is an irrevocable life insurance trust (“ILIT”). An ILIT is a trust which owns your life insurance policy instead of you owning it yourself. The beneficiaries remain the same. When used properly, an ILIT can remove
Reducing or Avoiding Massachusetts Estate Tax Through Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Read More »