There has been so much news lately about preparing for the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. Most of those reports talk about avoiding large gatherings, what will happen if schools close, buying supplies etc. One item I haven’t seen discussed is...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
My Heart Attack and Bypass Surgery
Attorney Dan Surprenant
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For those of you who have not heard, on January 5th, 2020 I suffered a heart attack which landed me in Charlton Memorial Hospital. On January 8th, as my blockage was too severe to handle with stents, I underwent quadruple bypass surgery. I’m...
How the SECURE Act Could Affect Your Retirement Planning
The SECURE Act became law on December 20, 2019. SECURE stands for the Settling Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019. Taking some time to understand what this law does and how it might affect you could help you plan better for your retirement. The SECURE Act...
How to Choose a Personal Representative in Massachusetts
Choosing your personal representative or executor in Massachusetts is extremely important. A personal representative is a person you name in your will who will become responsible for managing your estate after your death. They will protect your property and manage your property after you’re gone. The purpose of taking the time to...
Do You Own Digital Assets? Here’s How to Protect Them with an Estate Plan
Many estate planners have a plan for who will receive their house, family heirlooms, and monetary assets, but many don't consider what will happen to their digital assets. In our tech-savvy society, assets can be as valuable and lucrative as traditional assets, such as homes and property.
Digital...
Do You Own a Family Business? Here Are a Few Estate Planning Tips
Family-owned businesses play a huge part in our local and national economy. There are 5.5 million family-owned businesses in the United States. Family businesses employ over 98 million people and account for 58 percent of the United States’ gross domestic product (GDP)....
SECURE Act: How It Will Affect You and the Beneficiaries of Your Retirement Accounts
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act). The SECURE Act, which is effective January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. The SECURE...
How Does Buying a House Affect Estate Planning?
Buying a house is often the largest purchase a person will make in his or her lifetime. The median cost of a single-family home in Massachusetts was just over $400,000. Most Americans take out a 15 or 30-year mortgage when they purchase...
How Does an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Affect Estate Planning?
If you or a loved one have recently received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, you are likely feeling many emotions. You may be feeling some fear of the future. Taking the time to engage in legal planning at the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s...
Three Reasons Young Families Need an Estate Plan
Young families today are busier than ever. Between work, school, after after-school activities, it can be hard to sit down and find the time to think about the future. Thinking about what would happen to your kids if you die is difficult but necessary. Young parents should consider whether or not...