It is not difficult to become confused about the terms and uses of various types of trust. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., where we serve estate planning clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, we find that many people come to us with questions about trusts. They want to know precisely...
Test Your Estate Planning Knowledge
by Attorney Rebecca S. Spinner
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How much do you know about estate planning? How prepared are you and your family? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge and perhaps learn something new!
Question #1
True or false? You must name the same...
Why Do I Need a Trust If I’m Not Wealthy?
Although many people associate trusts with having a large estate, trusts can serve several important purposes for middle-class individuals and families. The best way to find out if one or more trusts can be beneficial for you is to consult with a knowledgeable trust and estate attorney. If you live in...
Estate Planning for Snowbirds
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once joked, “My parents didn't want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty and that's the law.” It’s funny because it seems like everyone becomes a snowbird once they retire. Thanks to old man winter here in Southeastern Massachusetts, a large number of retirees do flock like snowbirds...
“Irrevocable” Doesn’t Always Mean “Unchangeable”
For starters, a revocable trust is a changeable, amendable, revocable document. The opposite is not true: It is not true that all irrevocable trusts cannot be changed. This article seeks to briefly explore some examples of the types of irrevocable trusts that can be altered, in what way, and why drafting for...
Why You Should Have a Knowledgeable Attorney Draft Your Will
Now that nearly everyone is using the internet, it may look as though creating a will is an easy do-it-yourself project. Think again. There are multiple reasons that you need the services of a trustworthy estate attorney to draft your will. Don’t let your last words be guided by the artificial intelligence...
The 3 Easiest Ways to Avoid Probate in Massachusetts
By Attorney Rebecca S. Spinner
When someone dies in Massachusetts, anything that person owned individually will need to be probated. Probate is the court process by which the deceased person’s assets are transferred to the individuals who will inherit them. Probate takes at least a year and can be...
Dos and Don’ts for Trustees
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our trust attorneys have extensive experience drafting and executing trusts for clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Trusts may be testamentary, revocable, or irrevocable. Their purposes are variable — e.g. avoiding probate or excessive taxation, protecting individuals with special needs, and providing for charitable contributions....
Life Estate Deeds vs. Irrevocable Trusts for Medicaid Protection
Written By: Attorney Rebecca S. Spinner, Esq.
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Many of the people we meet with come in looking to get help protecting their assets from the costs of long-term care. For most people, their home is their largest asset and the property they most wish to pass on to...
Reasons People Contest Trust Agreements
Most of us have heard of wills being contested, but many people are not aware that trusts can also be contested, often for similar reasons. A trust is a legal document and, as such, can only be contested in a lawsuit in state probate court by a person with legal standing to...