Inheriting property with siblings often brings both practical and emotional questions to the surface. Decisions about whether to keep, sell, or divide the property can affect finances, taxes, and family relationships, and no single sibling can act alone. Because every major choice requires agreement or a legal process to resolve a deadlock,...
Why Adult Children and Parents Should Attend This Program—Together
By Erin L. Nunes, Managing Partner, Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C.
Every week, our office meets families who wish they had started planning sooner—or had a clearer understanding of the changes unfolding around them. Legal rules are shifting. Healthcare systems are under strain. Longterm care costs are rising. And adult children...
How to Handle Unequal Inheritances Among Children
You can leave unequal inheritances to your children as long as your estate plan clearly reflects your intent and complies with Massachusetts law. The focus should be on making sure your wishes are legally enforceable and structured in a way that reduces the risk of disputes later. Families are rarely identical, and...
Plan today. Feel good tomorrow.
A Message from Michelle D. Beneski, Managing Partner, CELA, LLM Taxation
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At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, we have always been about helping you "get your ducks in a row". For decades, this phrase has defined our firm’s identity, representing our commitment to helping families find order and security...
Meet the Comfort Duck—The Relief of Feeling Cared For
Welcome to Week 3 of Feel Good February. So far, we’ve secured our team with the Guardian Duck and organized our assets with the Treasure Duck. This week, we introduce a guide that handles one of the most personal and emotional aspects of planning: The Comfort Duck.
At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, we believe that estate planning...
The “Granny Flat” Revolution: How the New Massachusetts’ ADU Law Could Impact Estate Planning
Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Managing Partner
The phrase "aging in place" has long been a goal for many Massachusetts families. The desire for seniors to remain in their homes, surrounded by loved ones and familiar communities, is strong. But the reality of high costs for assisted living and in-home care often...
Why Your Old Estate Planning Documents Might Not “Cut the Mustard”
Let’s be honest—most of us don’t think about estate planning until we absolutely have to. Maybe you drafted a will or trust years ago and thought, “Great, that’s done. I’m all set.” But here’s the thing: estate planning isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of deal. Life changes, laws change, and if your documents are stuck in the past, they might not do what you think they...
’Tis the Season… to Review Your Estate Plan
By Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Managing Partner
A Lighthearted Holiday Reminder from Our Team
The holiday season is here—a time filled with family gatherings, festive traditions, and at least one spirited debate about whether “Die Hard” is truly a Christmas movie. Amid the celebrations, it’s also a surprisingly...
“’Tis the Season to… Update Your Will?” A (Gently) Hilarious Holiday Estate Planning Blog
Ah, the holiday season. A magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, festive cookies, and at least one family member who believes “Die Hard” is absolutely a Christmas movie (even though we all know it isn't).
It’s also the one time of year when many of us pause to...