If you are thinking about creating a living trust, this is an excellent tool in Massachusetts for allowing you to move assets inside a trust that can then be accessed or used by you during your lifetime. This provides great flexibility, but it’s important that the trust be created well and funded properly so that… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Estate Planning
Is Irrevocable the Right Way to Go with Life Insurance in a Trust?
Do you have a life insurance policy? If not, this might become an important aspect of your estate plan as it provides for a seamless transfer of policy benefit payouts to your chosen beneficiaries. Unlike many probated assets, life insurance is handled outside of the courts when it comes to transferring the funds to your… Read More »
How an Elder Law Attorney Can Help You Navigate Home Health Care
Home health care is a significant issue now and is expected to be well into the future. Every day, 10,000 Americans turn age 65 and the pace for health care related jobs is growing at a significant rate, expected to increase by up to 18% through 2026. Understanding the labyrinth of health care options and… Read More »
Do You Really Need to Revise Your Estate Plan?
Revision of an estate plan can be an involved and comprehensive process depending on how many documents and strategies you’d already had created. If your estate planning documents do not meet your current estate planning objectives or if there have been significant changes in the state or federal landscape since you last updated these materials,… Read More »
Assisted Living Options: What Is a Private Apartment?
When it comes to assisted living options, there are several different kinds of ways that you can move an elderly loved one into a facility that allows them to live an independent lifestyle while still getting the support that they need. One such example is a private apartment. Many assisted living facilities all over the… Read More »
Retiring in Massachusetts? Match Your Plans with Your Estate Goals
Are you planning to retire in Massachusetts in the next few years? It’s a good reason to set aside some time for a chat with an MA estate planning lawyer to discuss how your estate and retirement plan align. Unfortunately, Massachusetts has earned somewhat of a reputation for being an unappealing state of residency for… Read More »
How to Start Estate Planning with Beneficiaries and a Will
You might have already completed some of the estate planning process without realizing. If you have a retirement savings account or a 401(k), you’ve probably already established a beneficiary designation form. This gives instructions to the company about who is eligible to receive the assets inside this account if something happens to you. Beneficiary designations… Read More »
Avoiding Claims of Undue Influence in Your Estate Planning
An allegation of undue influence can greatly slow down the probate process and make it more challenging for your intended heirs to receive the assets that you wanted them to have. There are a few best practices to have in mind when sitting down with your local estate planning lawyer to discuss how to avoid… Read More »
An Attorney Needs to Review Your POA Document
Has a person you know asked you to execute a power of attorney naming that individual as your agent? Make sure that you don’t sign this document without first having your own estate planning attorney to review it. Although this is a very popular legal tool and one that you should certainly have in your… Read More »
Saving a Loved One from Challenges After You Pass Away
One of the most common reasons that people neglect the estate planning process is because they don’t wish to discuss the topic of death. It can certainly feel morbid and very difficult to talk to your loved ones about what might happen if you are no longer around but it can simultaneously be one of… Read More »