Death is an inevitable part of life, and while we can’t control when it happens, we can certainly take steps to control what happens to our assets after we’re gone. One of the financial considerations is estate taxes. Sometimes known as inheritance taxes or death taxes, estate taxes are levied on the estate of a...
Although it may sound like something you use when texting your friends, an ILIT is actually an irrevocable life insurance trust. An ILIT is a type of trust that is funded during your lifetime by a term or permanent life insurance policy and pays out proceeds of the policy upon the insured’s death. Since it’s irrevocable, the...
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...
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...
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...
One of the most important aspects of creating an estate plan is selecting trusted people to act on your behalf in the event you are unable to make do so for yourself. These individuals, known as fiduciaries, carry out your wishes based on authority granted in a Power of Attorney or Health Care Proxy. The...
Medicaid (called “MassHealth” in Massachusetts) can help pay for long term care either at home or in a nursing home. If you think MassHealth’s assistance will be needed in your or your loved one’s future, it’s always best to plan in advance. Five Year Look-back If you apply for MassHealth benefits, the state has the...
What happens if you have been named as someone’s Health Care Proxy but you find out, once it has been activated, that the proxy has been changed or the person you are acting for says they no longer want you to make decisions for them. What can you do? As with everything, the answer is...
We frequently receive calls from people looking to act on behalf of a family member or loved one who has lost capacity and is no longer able to manage decision making for themselves. When that person does not have an effective Health Care Proxy or Durable Power of Attorney in place, the next step is...
When grandma died last year, it was a loss felt by the entire family. She was the anchor for the family and an avid knitter. During her life, she knit a special blanket for each of her grandchildren. These unique, “made from the heart” items provide a loving reminder of her. But, when it came...
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