While states, including Massachusetts, have been slowly re-opening, coronavirus (COVID-19) is still a serious problem. Policymakers and scientists are still unsure whether we will see a spike in COVID-19 cases, or a second wave, as more states begin loosening restrictions on stay-at-home orders. This pandemic has spurred many Massachusetts parents to consider...

Newlyweds and New Estate Plans!
Did you know that the month of June is the most popular month to wed? We wish our “Congratulations” to all the new bride and grooms who may have tied the knot recently! While many couple may be registered for china sets, one present that is truly indispensable is estate planning. A...

Do Your Kids Know Your Plans? Talk to Them
Most families never talk about what one’s wishes may be when they become incapacitated or when they die. After all, no one likes to talk about their own mortality, especially with their children, even if they are adults themselves. However, an open dialogue would be the best thing for everyone. It will...

I love my son-in-law but…
Parents often have questions about what happens in many situations that involve a child’s spouse. What happens if my daughter dies before me, does her share go to her husband? What happens if my daughter gets divorced, can her husband take her inheritance? Truthfully, we really don’t like our son-in-law. We are...

Forbes Article: 4 Estate Planning Myths That Refuse To Die
Ron Carson, Contributor, Personal Finance
Estate planning remains one of the most misunderstood areas of planning. Over the years, I’ve met with people who “only needed a financial plan, not an estate plan” or “didn’t need a financial plan, just some help with estate planning.” I’ve also met with...

AARP Article: 9 Money Moves to Keep Your Retirement Afloat During the Pandemic Financial Storm
by Karen Cheney, AARP
En español | You don't need a Ph.D. to know the economy has hit some seriously stormy conditions. You've watched the value of your nest egg bounce wildly, and you've...

Above the Law Article: Nesting During COVID-19: Clean Your Closets And Do Your Estate Planning
By CORI A. ROBINSON
COVID-19 and the resulting social distancing and self-quarantining have caused health, child, and financial issues prompting palpable anxiety, fear, and concern. It has also brought nuclear families...

Forbes Article: An Estate Plan For Every Stage Of Life
Rianka DorsainvilContributorPersonal Finance
There are many common misconceptions surrounding the topic of estate planning. For example, many people believe that estate planning just means having a will. Others think that estate planning is only a concern for retirees or those over age 55. Unfortunately, these misunderstandings can...

A New Strategy to Help if One Spouse Needs Long Term Care
Written by Attorney Daniel M. Surprenant, Esq., CELA
Good News! Our office has recently, successfully, implemented a strategy to help a family keep more income while one of the spouses needed long term care paid for by Medicaid (a.k.a. MassHealth)! We thought we’d take a moment to write about...

Qualified Charitable Distributions From IRAs
Article Written by Sheryl Cox of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., Plymouth MA
Certain IRA holders have the opportunity to make tax-free distributions from their IRAs to qualified charitable organizations.
For tax-free eligibility, the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) must be sent directly from the IRA payable...
