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,...
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.
Probate is a court process to settle an estate after someone dies. There are two types of probates. The first is interstate probate. For example, if someone dies without a Will, then they are “intestate” and a court has to decide what happens to their property. The second type is testate...
Multigenerational families often face estate planning questions that affect several generations at once. A thoughtful estate plan can help protect minor children, aging parents, adult children, and family assets while providing clear instructions for the future.
As more Massachusetts families share caregiving responsibilities and financial obligations across generations, estate...
As awful as the coronavirus pandemic is, we should all be grateful that it has hit at a time in history when we have the technology to help us cope. First and foremost, medical science has advanced to the point that vaccines to protect us from catastrophe have been developed at an...
During holiday time, many people feel more generous than usual. This is not surprising since religious teachings of this period emphasize the importance of helping others, and many stories of the season involve giving in one way or another. If you are inclined to make gift-giving preparations, now is a good time...
By: Nora Garvey
Taking the emotions out of death and financesAs families gather for the holidays, talking about long-term financial security and trusts may not be top of mind. Death and finances are often two of the most uncomfortable topics for families to talk...
The coronavirus health emergency is a reminder that life is unpredictable, and it makes sense to be prepared. It may sound self-serving, but the threats to life and finances posed by the pandemic offer ample reason to reevaluate your estate plan -- or create one if you haven't already.
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...
