Your assets are a tool to prolong the health, happiness and success of your loved ones. Unfortunately, division of assets can often lead to disputes among heirs and divide families rather than uniting them. Thinking about how to divide assets fairly among children can help minimize some of those ... Read More
Estate Planning
Debts You May Be Leaving Behind
A long, wonderful life is not always debt free. Those debts will be transferred in the event of one’s passing. Taking steps to address your debt will ensure future generations are not burdened with impending financial strain. Understanding what those debts will be is also essential to this process. ... Read More
What Happens When There Is No Succession Plan
Having a succession plan is vital to ensuring the future operation and success of your small business. Although every company needs to consider succession planning, it is most critical for small and family-owned businesses and should be included in business owner estate plans. To highlight the ... Read More
Maintaining Privacy in Massachusetts Estate Plans
Did you know that some aspects of your estate become public upon your death? If you are a private person, you may find this information disturbing. The good news is, there are ways of maintaining privacy in Massachusetts estate plans, if that is important to you. Private Versus Public ... Read More
Unusual Assets To Include In Massachusetts Estate Plans
Your estate plan likely includes your most valuable assets, such as your savings, real estate properties, investment accounts, and vehicles. Often forgotten from those plans are more unusual assets that may hold value but may not necessarily be on your radar. Here are some unusual assets to include ... Read More
Update Estate Plans When Moving to a New State
There are many life changes that should prompt you to update your estate plan, and moving is one of them. You may wonder why this is the case. After all, isn’t a legal document in one state valid in another state? Although this is true for the most part, there are several important reasons why you ... Read More
Estate Planning for Real Estate Assets
If you own a home, it is important to develop a detailed plan for that asset. Factors that may influence your decision include the amount of equity, mortgage debt, taxes, and family emotions. Keep the following in mind when estate planning for real estate assets. Diminished Value of Assets The ... Read More
Should You Deed Your House to Your Kids While You Are Still Living?
Most people pass on assets to their children in a will or trust. However, some consider doing so ahead of time. Should you deed your house to your kids while you are still living? Are there certain benefits to this approach? What are potential negative impacts of such a decision? Medicaid ... Read More
Wills versus Trusts for Massachusetts Estate Planning
Wills and trusts are common sources of confusion for people trying understand the many components of estate planning. Some people think that you need only one or the other, and some think that you absolutely need both. The reality is, your needs will depend on your personal circumstances. To help ... Read More
Creating a Will in Massachusetts
When you think of estate planning, one of the first things that come to mind is a will. Although there are many possible components to an estate plan, creating a will is one of the most common. Here is some helpful information and tips on creating a will in Massachusetts. What Is Included in a ... Read More
Simmons & Schiavo, LLP
TwitterFacebookLinkedinGoogle +