You have probably heard from friends or relatives who’ve gone through it.  Probate is a time-consuming, expensive, and very public process. Not to mention it can sometimes be unpleasant. Anyone, especially your children’s ex-spouses and creditors, can see many private things about you, such as personal information, your finances, including your debts, the value of...

A question we receive frequently is “Can I name more than one person to serve as a co-trustee of my trust?” The answer is yes, you can, but it may cause some complications. There are a couple of things for you to consider: Financial institutions. A trustee’s job is to manage and distribute assets based...

The estate tax applies to the estates of individuals who passed away with a taxable estate exceeding a certain threshold. In August, Massachusetts increased its estate tax “threshold” to $2,000,000 for the estates of all decedents who died on or after January 1, 2023. This doubles the estate tax exemption (from $1,000,000) that had been...

Clients are often concerned about how family harmony will be maintained after they are gone.  They worry that children will argue over their money and their possessions.  Avoiding a contest over your Last Will and Testament when you are no longer here involves careful planning and execution.  While it’s impossible to guarantee that a Last...

Maintaining harmony during the holiday times can be a wonderful goal, as this period often involves increased social interactions, family gatherings, and various activities. Here are some tips to help you foster a harmonious atmosphere: Communication: Clearly communicate plans and expectations in advance. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page....

Caring for someone else, especially someone with dementia, can be physically and emotionally draining. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias provide care for a longer duration than caregivers of people with other types of conditions (79% versus 66%) and 57% of family caregivers...

Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming, both for the individual diagnosed and their loved ones. Here are some steps and recommendations on what to do after someone receives a dementia diagnosis: Educate Yourself Learn about the specific type of dementia that has been diagnosed. There are multiple types, and understanding the symptoms, progression, and...

As technology advances, so do the methods scammers use to prey on all of us, and often we become more vulnerable as we age. Scams targeting seniors are on the rise, often resulting in significant financial losses and emotional distress. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the common scams that target seniors and provide valuable...