Advance directives might sound like something you only need later in life. But the truth is, they’re an important part of any adult’s planning. These documents give you control over your medical decisions, even when you’re not in a position to speak for yourself. They also take pressure off your loved ones,...
How Failing to Choose Alternatives Can Damage Your Estate Plan and Hurt Your Family
Most of the clients of Surprenant & Beneski are happy to have their estate planning behind them so they can relax, knowing their loved ones and their assets are protected. This is why they are grateful to have our estate planning team to guide them as they make vital decisions. Without that...
How to Prepare for Your Estate Planning Consultation
Congratulations, you have taken the first important step and have made an appointment with a qualified estate planning attorney to create an estate plan or review an existing plan. You’re looking forward to the reassurance that comes from knowing that your retirement, your legacy, and your family’s future are secure. Now...
Do my children have to inherit equally?
While there is no hard and fast rule about whether your children should always receive equal shares of their parents’ assets, it is usual for parents to divvy up their property equally among their offspring in order to avoid playing favorites. Recent surveys have shown, however, that many parents are rethinking this...
How will retiring and buying a second home affect my estate plan?
Middle-aged people musing on their futures often indulge in dreams of buying a second home that will serve as a vacation home now and a home base during retirement. But how realistic is purchasing a second home? Many financial experts question the assumptions that underlie the value of investing in more property...
How to Plan for Your Estate Planning
Like so many other areas of modern life, estate planning requires the knowledge and skill of a professional. Therefore, the most important step you can take in this process is choosing your estate planning attorney carefully, based on excellent credentials, testimonials, and personal recommendations. As you will see if you do...
What qualities should I look for when choosing my executor?
Choosing your executor (personal representative) is an important part of the estate planning process. After all, this is the individual who will be taking care of all the logistical matters surrounding your will and seeing to it that your final wishes are carried out. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we...
Can I Exclude my Spouse from my Estate?
Sometimes for various reasons, a person doesn’t want to leave any property to his or her spouse. Massachusetts like most states has a law designed to protect a surviving spouse from being impoverished. The law allows a surviving spouse to claim a portion of the estate despite the provisions of the deceased...
CNBC Article: Estate planning for LGBTQ+ families is crucial. Here’s what you need to do
By Michelle Fox
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Everyone should have an estate plan. For LGBTQ+ families, it may be even more critical.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to be married or they may have children where only one partner is the biological parent, said Gina Nelson,...
Transferring Property Upon Your Death
There are essentially five ways an individual can transfer property to their loved ones upon their death. Depending on the age of the persons who will be receiving property or the dynamics among family members who are receiving the property, it is important to choose your method of transfer very carefully.