If your family is dysfunctional, you are by no means alone. Even in the happiest of families, there is likely to be someone dealing with alcoholism, drug addiction, abuse, criminal behavior, severe mental illness or behavioral problems. Almost all families contain members who do not get along with, or are estranged from,...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
How Estate Planning Can Be the Ultimate Gift You Give Your Family
While just about everyone loves to tear into wrapping paper for tokens of love, most of us come to realize that some of the very best gifts are actions taken on our behalf. One of the most meaningful of these is estate planning by someone we hold dear. Because many people procrastinate...
Leave the Snow Behind but Keep Estate Plan Up to Date
State laws oversee estates and those laws are rarely the same.
Many people retire in the snowy north and head to the warm south for a few months each year. If that is your scenario, it would be wise...
Financial Planning for Special Needs Adults: What You Need to Know
Estate planning for special needs adults can be somewhat challenging. You want to ensure that the adults have the income and resources they need without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits. A Massachusetts special needs planning attorney can assist families of special needs adults with financial planning to ensure their...
Three Charitable Options that Can Save You on Taxes
For many individuals, making charitable donations is a way to give back to their community and support causes that are important to them. However, charitable planning can also play an important role in estate planning. Working with a Massachusetts charitable planning attorney to incorporate a strategic plan for charitable donations...
How Do I Write a Business Succession Plan?
If you own a business, an important part of estate planning is to write a business succession plan. Your business succession plan ensures that the business you worked hard to build is preserved for future generations or is liquidated to maximize profits for your family members. A Massachusetts business succession planning...
To die well, we must talk about death before the end of life
I would like to tell you an all-too-familiar story. It begins with a long-term care home resident, Laura, who has multiple chronic conditions and gets an infection that doesn’t get any better.
Her health has been declining for months, but no one has talked to her about her preferences...
Things You Can and Can’t Do With a Power of Attorney
Like most legal undertakings, setting up and enforcing power of attorney (POA) documents can be a confusing process. Yet, these essential tools can help aging adults and their families create a solid plan to address future care needs and gain peace of...
How to Talk with Aging Parents About Estate Planning
During a recent webinar, one of the questions we were asked was about how to address the topic of estate planning with your aging parents. It can be a tough topic to bring up as it can be emotional. After all,...
Do Annuities in 401(k)s Work for Retirement Income?
“Proposed U.S. legislation would make it easier for employers to offer annuities in 401(k) retirement plans that provide retirees fixed payments for as long as they live.”
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The role of annuities in retirement planning is one aspect of the Secure Act that...