ARTICLES

What to Do After You Sign Your Revocable Living Trust

What to Do After You Sign Your Revocable Living Trust

You just met with your lawyer and signed your living trust. Good job! But your work is not done yet. Unlike a Will which, after it is signed, can be stored away until needed, there are several important steps you need to take next with your trust. Think of signing the trust like buying a...
Removing a Mass Estate Tax Lien to Sell Your Home

Removing a Mass Estate Tax Lien to Sell Your Home

Did you know that when someone dies owning a home in Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts puts an Estate Tax lien on that home?  What is an Estate Tax Lien? A lien is a legal claim that says “you need to pay us before you can sell this house.” The Massachusetts Estate Tax lien arises...
Protecting Your Home from a Massachusetts Medicaid Lien

Protecting Your Home from a Massachusetts Medicaid Lien

For many Massachusetts residents, their home represents their most valuable asset and a legacy they hope to pass on to future generations. However, when applying for Massachusetts’ Medicaid program (MassHealth) to cover long-term care costs, many are surprised to learn that their home may be at risk due to a potential MassHealth’s lien or estate...
The Significance of Estate Planning in the LGBTQIA+ Community

The Significance of Estate Planning in the LGBTQIA+ Community

Estate planning is crucial for everyone, but for members of the LGBTQ+ community, it carries additional significance and complexity. Despite important legal victories like marriage equality, many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples still face unique challenges when it comes to protecting their assets, healthcare decisions, and ensuring their wishes are respected. Why Estate Planning Is Particularly...
Health Care Proxy vs. HIPAA Authorization

Health Care Proxy vs. HIPAA Authorization

When preparing an estate plan, we recommend that clients execute both a Health Care Proxy and an Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information (a “HIPAA Authorization”). While there is some overlap between the two, it is important to understand the purpose of each document and how and when they can be used. Example Joan...
The Role of Medical Certificates in Guardianship and Conservatorship Petitions

The Role of Medical Certificates in Guardianship and Conservatorship Petitions

Guardianship and conservatorship involve removing fundamental rights from an individual—the right to make decisions about one’s own healthcare, living arrangements, and/or financial affairs. Courts do not take these petitions lightly and require substantial evidence that such intervention is necessary. What a Medical Certificate is When a client contacts us regarding a guardianship and/or conservatorship for...
Revocable Trusts Are for Everyone

Revocable Trusts Are for Everyone

When most people hear the term “trust,” they immediately picture wealthy families with vast estates and complex financial portfolios. This common misconception leads many to dismiss trusts as irrelevant to their own financial planning. However, revocable living trusts offer significant benefits for people across all income levels and life situations. What Is a Revocable Trust?...
Massachusetts ADU Law: A New Avenue for Generational Living

Massachusetts ADU Law: A New Avenue for Generational Living

Massachusetts recently passed legislation regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), creating new opportunities for homeowners and families across the state. This change represents a significant shift in housing policy that could help address multiple challenges facing communities today. What Are ADUs and What Does the New Law Allow? Accessory Dwelling Units, commonly known as ADUs, are...
Striving for Family Harmony

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....

Taking Care of the Caregiver

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...

5 Important Vacation Preparation Items

Summer is in full swing and many of us are planning vacations – maybe it’s a local holiday to New England’s beaches or the mountains, or possibly something that requires air travel, like a trip to the west coast or “across the pond” to Europe. Before you leave, take some time to review your estate...

Your Vacation Home is a Treasured Heirloom

Vacation homes can mean many different things:  the center of cherished family memories; a reliable vacation spot; an investment for now and in the future.  Passing your beloved vacation property to future generations takes careful planning.  Not surprising, there is no one-size-fits-all planning option to ensure that this treasured real estate is protected from challenges...

3 Legal Documents Young Adults Need

Whether it be heading off to college, a gap year, or entering into the workforce, once our kids reach the age of eighteen, they enter the world as “adults” and are no longer legal minors. We can only hope that we have fully prepared our children for what lies ahead, however there is always the...