You don’t have to be rich to need estate planning. Your estate includes everything you own, and it can be any size, which is why...
Estate planning encompasses more than just drafting a will. Without a thoughtful plan, your family could face long delays, unnecessary costs, and avoidable stress. At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, we’ve seen the impact of common estate planning mistakes. The good news is that with the right strategies, most can be avoided.
“Life happens.” It’s such a common saying because it’s true – life does happen. Children are born, people marry, many go off to college, some couples divorce, some come into money or property, others have a health issue occur and so on....
As a professional trustee and executor, I have seen hundreds of estate-planning documents, including some from do-it-yourself online services. I appreciate that using a DIY site to draft a will can save money and time. But I’m also concerned that sometimes doing it this way...
Many people think that all they need is a simple Last Will and Testament (Will). They also think that a Will directs all of their assets and...
By Matthew Erskine
The key to estate planning for many years has been the time value of money - the assumption that an investment asset will be worth more in the future than it is today. Since the 1930’s, this assumption has been proven correct, as the total return on investments...
The coronavirus pandemic getting you thinking about preparing a Will? You may be worried about how your exposure to the disease or preexisting health conditions may make you more susceptible to COVID-19. The need for an estate plan is constant, but now more than ever, we seek the peace of mind that...
If you’ve just learned that you’ve been appointed as a deceased individual’s personal representative also referred to as Executor, you are likely wondering what happens next. A loved one’s death often comes as a shock, and it can be hard to get your bearings afterward. In Massachusetts, personal representatives are responsible for...
At Surprenant & Beneski, PC, we’ve helped many clients create estate plans that serve them well. We understand that the thought of doing estate planning can seem overwhelming. We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand the process better. Everyone can benefit from planning for the...
Many Americans do not have any estate planning documents in place. As we’re in the middle of a global pandemic, many of us have spent time thinking about what could happen if we become incapacitated or die due to coronavirus. Without a valid will, Massachusetts probate courts will divide up and...
