Effective wealth transfer planning is crucial for preserving assets and ensuring they pass to intended heirs with minimal tax erosion. Strategies designed to mitigate estate taxes are essential components of...
Don’t Forget About Fido: Estate Planning Strategies for Pets
Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love. They rely on us for food, shelter, and care, but many people don’t think about what would happen to their pets if they could no longer provide for them. Without a plan, a beloved pet could end up in a shelter or with someone unprepared...
Estate Planning in a Shifting Political Landscape: Why NOW is the Time to Act
The current political climate is marked by uncertainty, and this extends to the realm of estate planning. Shifting policies, potential tax law changes, and evolving social dynamics all underscore...
What Happens if Your Estate Planning Documents Are Lost or Destroyed?
Estate planning documents protect your wishes and help your loved ones avoid confusion after you’re gone. But what happens if these important papers go missing or are destroyed? A lost will, damaged trust, or misplaced power of attorney can lead to delays, legal hurdles, and unnecessary stress. Whether the documents were misplaced,...

New Details of the Social Security Fairness Act
In January, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law. This new law allows retired public servants such as teachers, firefighters, police officers and others who have paid into Social Security for years to collect on those benefits blocked previously by legislation that has now been...

Keeping Your Wishes Current: Why Regular Updates and Essential Documents Matter
Life is rarely static. Relationships evolve, families grow, and circumstances change. An estate plan, designed to ensure your wishes are carried out after you're gone, should reflect these changes. Here's why regularly updating beneficiaries and reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years is crucial:
Unlock Your Peace of Mind: Maximize Your Estate Planning Consultation with Our Preparation Worksheet
Estate planning. It's a task that often lingers on our to-do lists, pushed aside for "more urgent" matters. But the truth is, few things are more important than ensuring your loved ones are protected and your wishes are honored. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we understand the hesitation, and we're here to...
Millennial Estate Planning: Protecting Digital Assets and Online Businesses
Millennials have built a significant portion of their lives online. From cryptocurrency investments to social media accounts and digital businesses, these assets hold real financial and personal value. Yet, many people overlook them when thinking about estate planning. Unlike physical property, digital assets can be difficult for loved ones to access without...

Navigating Uncertain Times: Estate Planning for the LGBTQ+ Community
Rebecca S. Spinner, Esq.
As an estate planning and elder law attorney,a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I am acutely aware of the unique concerns and challenges we face, particularly in the...

Estate Planning Considerations for the Sandwich Generation
Balancing the responsibilities of caring for aging parents while raising children can bring unexpected challenges. Many in this position find themselves pulled in multiple directions, often struggling to manage competing demands on their time, energy, and finances. Amid the challenges, it’s easy to overlook the importance of planning for the future. Taking...