If you have been named a personal representative (executor) by a family member or friend, you may be overwhelmed by the responsibility and unclear about the tasks at hand. This is a good time to seek the services of an accomplished estate planning attorney who will be able to clarify your duties...
Trust Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Creating a trust can be an important component of estate planning, serving a number of useful purposes, including:
Helping to avoid probateLessening tax burdensProtecting your loved ones (especially those with special needs)Protecting your assetsGuarding your privacy.Trust mistakes can become serious problems. This is why it’s...
Reasons why people feel that they don’t need an estate plan
Many people fail to plan because they are under the assumption that estate planning is wealthy or older people. If you have any assets or any children, you have a need to plan. Estate planning is used to protect individuals and their loved ones of all ages and at all stages of life....
Why Do I Need an Estate Planning Attorney?
If you’re wondering why you need an accomplished estate planning attorney, you might find it helpful to ask yourself why you need any type of professional. Even avid do-it-yourselfers in Southeastern Massachusetts have areas in which they do not feel comfortable taking the reins. Why do you use an electrician? an obstetrician?...
MarketWatch Article: I want to make sure my son always has a place to live. Should I add him to the deed for my house?
By Jacob Passy
Dear MarketWatch,
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I have a 31-year-old adult son with special needs. I am 73 years old and plan on moving back to New York and buying a home after I sell my current home in California.
I want...
Your New Year’s Legal Check-up
A new year is upon us, and with it comes a host of New Year’s resolutions. A Neilson.com survey found that the top goals for the new year included: 1) staying fit and healthy, 2) losing weight, 3) enjoying life to the fullest, 4) spending less, saving more, 5) spending more time...
Reluctant to Consult with a Qualified Estate Planning Attorney? Don’t Be!
Whether you are just starting your career or contemplating retirement, you are probably aware that you should be planning for your future. If you find yourself reluctant to do so or procrastinating for reasons you cannot explain -- you are not alone. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we have been diligently serving...
When a Loved One Dies
After a loved one dies, there are many issues which need to be addressed to wrap up the person’s legal and financial affairs. The following is a checklist of issues to consider:
The funeral home should take care of providing you with certified copies of the death certificate. The...
Yahoo Finance Article: How Long Does Probate Take?
By Ashley Kilroy
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If you own any property at all, you probably know about estate planning. You can decide what happens to your assets after you die, of course. But sometimes, people don’t pen a will or trust before they pass. Or, if they do, it’s not...
Let’s Talk About Estate Planning 4 Reasons to get Started Today
Even in the closest families, conversations about money and death can be uncomfortable. “In our society certain topics are deemed private, and it is considered rude to discuss or ask about them,” says Michelle Beneski, managing partner at Surprenant & Beneski. “Within families, children are hesitant to raise the issue of estate...