When going through the estate planning process, the hope is to set something up that will not only offer the protections one desires but will also stand the test of time. For many Massachusetts residents, setting up a trust is the way to meet these goals. However,...
Helping People Age With Dignity And Peace Of Mind
Year: 2020
Reasons to update your will
No part of the estate planning process is a one-and-done kind of thing. These plans must evolve to work with life changes. For example, Massachusetts residents who have taken the time to write wills may want to review and update them for any of the following...
Need help getting through probate administration?
If you recently lost a loved one, the last thing you want to do while grieving your loss is to figure out how to close out his or her estate. However, it has to be done at some point -- sooner rather than later is best. The probate administration process can be...
Care for your loved ones who have special needs
Caring for a child who has special needs can invoke fear in parents. One of these fears is that there won't be anyone to care for the child if something happens to the parents. Some people don't understand that your child might need care even when they reach...
Who can be given guardianship of an incapacitated adult?
When an adult is or becomes incapacitated, and he or she lacks a plan for who is to handle his or her affairs, the Massachusetts court system will likely place the individual in the care of a guardian. Who can be given guardianship of an incapacitated person? Many...
Yes, there are valid reasons to contest wills
Many Massachusetts residents believe that as long as they have a will, their estates will be fully protected and their wishes honored when they die. Unfortunately, wills may end up being ruled invalid if not properly prepared or prepared under questionable...
Are all assets subject to the probate process?
Designing an estate plan that meets all of one's wants and needs can be somewhat challenging. Wanting to get it right so that one is fully protected, assets go to the right people, and loved ones can avoid arguments and a lengthy probate process is certainly...
Disinheriting a homophobic family member
Because so many people in this country still have prejudices against those in the LGBT community, same-sex couples may have issues with certain family members inheriting any of their estate. Simply leaving someone out of a will may not be enough, as a family member...
Keeping the family peace over estate planning decisions
A peaceful family is a happy family. Massachusetts residents who are working on their estate plans likely know that estate planning could be a very emotional undertaking that could elicit strong opinions from family members -- especially siblings. There are ways to...
Family disputes shouldn’t be part of the estate planning process
Massachusetts adults often put off thinking about the future because they assume they are too young or not wealthy enough to need any type of protection. As adults grow older and their children become adults, they may start to see the benefit of estate planning and...