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...
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...
Did you know, if you don’t have a current estate plan in place, the Massachusetts Probate Court will decide who will inherit your possessions, raise your children, manage your assets, and administer your estate? Without proper organization, your assets could go unnoticed or become lost and loved ones may not benefit from your years of...
We all know that a Last Will and Testament (Will) is an important thing to have. We want to make it easier for our families after we have died. But just having a Will often causes more problems than it solves. The problem is that it may not be enough; it could be putting your...
When a client is in the process of creating a trust, one of the first questions that comes up is “How should I choose my successor trustee?”. (Find out our answer in the previous article “How to Choose a Trustee” ). The follow-up question is usually if they should name co-Trustees to manage their revocable...
For many people, a trust is an integral part of a thorough and effective estate plan. Whether it is designed to avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, or protect assets, it is important that a trust is administered as instructed in the trust document to ensure that it serves its purpose. Therefore, one of the most...
Understanding the types of trust that are available and discussing your goals and wishes with your estate planning attorney should be accomplished before you settle on which type of trust is best for you. A Guide to Some Common Types of Trusts As discussed in our blog, “Trusts, not Just for the Rich and Famous”,...




















