According to Forbes Magazine, it is estimated that there are 12 million adults over age of 65 and are living alone, or 27% of the overall population. That is a staggering number. Of that population, most are women. Ironically, although they are now alone, most were at one time or another, caretakers to...
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...
How can I protect my will from being contested?
The Last Will and Testament is the most basic estate planning document. If you die without a will (intestate), crucial decisions about how your property will be distributed and who will be the guardian of your minor children will be decided by Commonwealth of Massachusetts intestacy laws.
Because your will...
The Downside of Using On-line Estate Planning Software
The following case study is on the pitfalls of using online software forestate planning. This is a recent situation that Attorney Michelle Beneski and our office had to navigate. The names of the family have been changed but it could happen to anyone.
Bob was unmarried. He had 2 children. One of his...
AARP Article: How to Be a Good Executor of a Will or Estate
What to know about managing someone's final wishes
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by Sharon Waters, AARP
The wave of people prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic to write their wills is creating yet another wave in estate planning: all the people being asked to one day put those wills into effect.
Estate Planning for Teachers
To say the last year and a half has been a challenge would be the understatement of the century. So many have stepped up to help others and to give a sense of normalcy in such an abnormal time. One group of people especially come to mind: teachers.
Children...
If Life is a Highway, then Estate Planning is the Road Map
Estate Planning is like a road map. And while the map may be straight forward for some, for others there may be stops along the way. One thing is for sure is that it all leads to the same destination: peace of mind!
A lot of people put off...
How a Well-Constructed Trust Can Provide for a Loved One Struggling with their Sobriety
Tragically, addiction is extremely common in Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, as it is throughout the country. For this reason, many of our clients are troubled about how they will provide for addicted loved ones in their estate plans. Whether your child or another relative is addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or...
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.