The holidays and end-of-year are a time for reflection… and planning. Estate planning is one of many things that you may want to review as you close out the year. Be sure to include these in your year-end estate planning tasks. Changes to Assets & Liabilities If your assets or liabilities changed over this last […]
03
Dec
Dec
With so many activities during the holidays, estate planning may be the last thing on your mind. However, it’s actually a great time to think about your estate planning goals and to communicate them with your family members, especially if it’s the one time of year that you’re all together in-person. Here are a few […]
25
Nov
Nov
Family trusts are often designed to benefit your immediate family or other relatives in the event of your death. One scenario that we often don’t think about is what happens when a beneficiary of a family trust gets divorced. Below are a few possibilities, based on recent case law in Massachusetts. Direct Assignment to Ex-Spouses […]
24
Nov
Nov
Choosing guardians is one of the most difficult decisions for parents. No parents want to think about not being there for their children and no one can ever truly take your place. However, failing to make a selection can leave it up to the courts, which couldn’t possibly be any better a decision than what […]
21
Nov
Nov
There are many different ways to look at guardianship. In our previous blog post, we mentioned personal values, geography, adaptability, and desire as important factors. Looking beyond that, there are many personal characteristics that make a difference as well. Some of these are difficult to even consider, but necessary nonetheless. Here are a few characteristics […]
12
Nov
Nov
1031 exchanges offer tax savings when selling and buying investment properties. It encourages reinvestment in the real estate market by deferring capital gains taxes on the sale of one property when the funds are put directly towards the purchase of another property. If you are both selling and buying an investment property, consider using a […]
04
Nov
Nov
Investment properties are a great way to build wealth and accumulate assets for retirement. To maximize your return on investment, it is important to carefully plan out the sale of a property and reduce potential taxes, such as capital gains taxes. Below are a few ways to reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes on investment […]
23
Oct
Oct
Many seniors and their families don’t use a lawyer to plan for long-term care or Medicaid, often because they’re afraid of the cost. However, an attorney can help you save money in the long run and make sure you’re getting the best care for your loved one. Instead of proceeding based on what you’ve heard […]
23
Oct
Oct
As more and more people marry more than once, prenuptial agreements have become an important estate planning tool. Without a prenuptial agreement, your new spouse may be able to invalidate your existing estate plan. Such agreements are especially helpful if you have children from a previous marriage or important heirlooms that you want to keep […]
23
Oct
Oct
Have you or a loved one been denied Medicare- covered services because you’re “not improving”? Many health care providers are still unaware that Medicare is required to cover skilled nursing and home care even if a patient is not showing improvement. If you are denied coverage based on this outdated standard, you have the right […]