One of the most important steps in the estate planning process is deciding who will make financial decisions on your behalf if you can’t. But this process, including power of attorney creation, can be easily overlooked. Most people are familiar with the fact that the estate planning process is used to help distribute your assets… Read More »
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What Are the Most Important Estate Planning Triggers?
Certain events in your life should prompt you to update and re-evaluate your existing estate plan. Examples of these are outlined below, although it’s also a good idea to schedule an annual meeting with an estate planning lawyer to make sure your plan is up to date. Getting Married You and your future spouse should… Read More »
Healthcare Proxy What Do I Need?
Looking for help with your Massachusetts estate planning? One of the most commonly-used documents include a healthcare proxy. Healthcare Proxy Basics Your healthcare proxy agent is the person you enable to make decisions on your behalf related to healthcare if you become unable to do so. Remember that you maintain the right to make your… Read More »
Is an Attorney Necessary for Drafting a Living Trust?
A living trust is a document for estate planning purposes that is created and effective during your lifetime. Also known as a revocable living trust, it allows you to manage your own assets. Creating a living trust is often done for the following reasons: It can help you with avoiding probate; It can help maintain… Read More »
Do I Need a Power of Attorney and a Last Will?
If you’ve spoken to any estate planning attorney or started research of your own, there’s a good chance that you’ve uncovered these two basic tools: a power of attorney and a last will. Together, these documents form the foundation for your overall estate plan. However, they do not accomplish the same goals and a comprehensive… Read More »
What Can a Financial Power of Attorney Agent Do?
Your power of attorney is an individual that you choose to make decisions on your behalf and take actions in your stead (your “agent”). It’s up to you as the principal or creator of this document to determine exactly what powers you wish your power of attorney agent to have in Massachusetts. Here are some… Read More »
Baby Boomers: Invest in Your Children and Grandchildren with Estate Planning
Giving a gift to your children and grandchildren through your estate planning is an important goal for many baby boomers and given the vast amount of wealth that is anticipated to be transferred over the next several decades, this is something you can’t afford to forget about. According to a recent study, more than two… Read More »
What is Informal Probate in Massachusetts?
As we’ve discussed in one of our blogs in the past, not all assets are subject to probate. Likewise, not all estates must be processed through the formal probate procedures in Massachusetts. In short, informal probate involves very limited court oversight. The process can be expedited if there are no objections by interested parties and… Read More »
What Are the Three Biggest Benefits of Establishing A Living Trust?
You probably already know how important a trust can be for your estate planning. When you want flexibility and control, turn to trusts. But determining which type of trust you intend to use is difficult, especially if you don’t yet have a trusted estate planning attorney. One of the most common types is known as… Read More »
What Does a Medicaid Planner Do?
Qualifying for Medicaid is a very complicated prospect. Although Medicaid is a federal program, it is administered at the state level. There might also be different programs within each state and the application and review process is time-consuming. Mistakes made on a Medicaid application or the failure to plan in advance regarding Medicaid qualification can… Read More »