ARTICLES

When a Spouse Dies: How Can You Remove the Massachusetts Estate Tax Lien on Your Home?

When a Spouse Dies: How Can You Remove the Massachusetts Estate Tax Lien on Your Home?

Did you know an estate tax lien attaches to your Massachusetts real estate on your death without any requirement of notice to your family? Well, it’s true. In Massachusetts, when a property owner passes away, a ten-year estate tax lien automatically attaches to all real estate that decedent owned in Massachusetts, including jointly held property....
Navigating the MA Estate Tax: Why the Massachusetts $2 Million Estate Tax Exemption Matters for Your Family

Navigating the MA Estate Tax: Why the Massachusetts $2 Million Estate Tax Exemption Matters for Your Family

Estate planning in Massachusetts has become a little easier—but no less important. With the state’s recent increase of the estate tax exemption to $2 million, many families may now avoid or reduce their estate tax burden. However, even with this change, the Massachusetts estate tax still affects more residents than you might expect. Understanding the...
Reporting Duties of Conservators and Guardians

Reporting Duties of Conservators and Guardians

When Mary was appointed as guardian for her elderly mother with dementia in 2022, she focused entirely on ensuring her mother received proper medical care and managing her daily needs. What Margaret unintentionally neglected was that Massachusetts law required her to file annual reports with the Probate and Family Court detailing her mother’s condition, living...
Top 5 FAQs Regarding a “License to Sell”

Top 5 FAQs Regarding a “License to Sell”

When Margaret was appointed personal representative of her father’s estate in Massachusetts, she assumed she could simply list his home and sell it to pay debts and distribute assets to beneficiaries. After all, she had been granted “full powers” in her Letters of Authority. However, when she contacted her probate attorney, she learned that her...
Why an Irrevocable Trust Is Better Than a Life Estate for Long-Term Care Planning

Why an Irrevocable Trust Is Better Than a Life Estate for Long-Term Care Planning

When you’re getting older, you might worry about paying for long term care (care at home, in the community, or at a nursing home). These costs can be very high and might force you to sell your home to pay for care. Two ways to protect your home are called a “life estate” and an...
Getting Help in Place Before the Crisis Hits

Getting Help in Place Before the Crisis Hits

Most of us don’t like to think about it, but medical emergencies become more likely as we age. A fall at home, a sudden illness, or a gradual decline in abilities can quickly transform an independent life into one requiring immediate support. The key to navigating these challenges successfully isn’t just having good medical insurance,...
How Estate Planning Can Protect Your Family from Digital Scammers

How Estate Planning Can Protect Your Family from Digital Scammers

What Are Digital Scammers?  Digital scammers are people who try to steal your money or personal information using computers, phones, and the internet. They might pretend to be your bank, a family member, or even the adults and families who have lost a loved one. Why Scammers Target Families After Someone Dies  When someone in...
Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your House: A Massachusetts Homeowner’s Guide to Quitclaim Deed Fraud

Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your House: A Massachusetts Homeowner’s Guide to Quitclaim Deed Fraud

Recently, one of our clients asked a question about property fraud in Massachusetts.  They had heard something about it on the radio and weren’t sure if it was a real issue or not. If you own property in Massachusetts, you should be aware of quitclaim deed fraud. It sounds boring and technical but trust me—this...
Musings from a Reformed Hugger

How Coronavirus has changed the way we say “hello” I’m a hugger, there is just no getting around it.  When I meet someone I know, my first inclination is to give them a hug.  It’s my way of saying how happy I am to see the person and to convey the message that they are...

Dear Generations Law Group: Should I Be Updating My Estate Plan?

Dear Generations Law Group, I’ve been updating my Naughty and Nice List and checking it twice. This got me to wondering, “Should I be updating my Estate Plan too?” Yours Truly, Kris Kringle Dear Mr. Kringle, Thank you for your letter and question! You started off on the right path by creating an estate plan....

New Mass SJC Ruling Affects Inheritance Rights of Families

Recently, the Boston Globe reported that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court handed down a major ruling affecting the future inheritance rights of families, and in this case specifically, blended families.  In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that spouses are entitled to one-third of their deceased spouses’ estate – effectively cancelling out the late spouse’s...

Beneficiary Designations – Proceed with Caution

Whenever we purchase a life insurance policy, open a mutual fund, or enroll in a company retirement plan, we are usually asked to designate a beneficiary. After naming these individuals, we never give it much thought again. Maybe you’ve named your spouse, one of your parents or your children. After your death, these assets are...

Ribbon Cutting with Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce

Today the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce celebrated Generations Law Group with a ribbon cutting! Jonathan Kerr, Executive Director of the Chamber gave a nice speech, presented a certificate to the firm, and wished us well in serving families in Acton, Sudbury and Greater Boston.   Above:  Phil Summers, Cathleen Summers, Erica Endyke

Join us for the Generations Law Group events

RIBBON CUTTING IN ACTON with the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce Friday, September 22 from 12pm – 1pm Casual lunch will be provided 179 Great Road, Suite 109, Acton, MA 01720 OPEN HOUSE IN SUDBURY Thursday, October 5th from 4pm – 6pm Serving hors d’oeuvres and beverages 111 Boston Post Road, Suite 101, Sudbury, MA 01776 Please RSVP...

To better reflect the firm’s work of providing comprehensive legal services to the “sandwich generation” – those who balance their own needs while managing the futures of both their aging parents and their children – the firm name is changing from Bay State Elder Law to Generations Law Group. “When a parent or in-law has...