Transferring assets to family members and heirs is an important part of estate planning. Dealing with your parent’s home can pose additional complications and impact estate administration and probate. Probate If nothing is done, an estate and the parents’ home will...
Remain thoughtful and judicious when selecting an executor
As you lay the foundation for an estate plan, you must understand that you will be responsible for many decisions. A few that immediately come to mind include naming your beneficiaries and determining how much each will receive. Among the other crucial decisions...
How do conservatorships work?
When a person is having trouble in administering his or her property and assets, it is normal for the court to set up a conservator. Typically, what a conservator does is that he or she has the legal responsibility to manage another person’s affairs, which can be...
What to consider when making a will
For some, writing a will can be a daunting yet necessary task and can lead to several unanswered questions. A person might be unfamiliar with where to begin and also, what to include in the will and how the process will evolve over time. All of these are important...
Is estate planning important for those without children?
Many people here in Massachusetts realize how vital it is to have an estate plan. It is important to be sure assets are distributed in the way the estate owner wants, and to have directives in place if that individual is unable to make his or her own financial...
Why is probate taking so long?
The days and weeks following the death of a loved one can be emotional. Family members are often busy preparing, supporting each other and dealing with the practical matters, such as funeral plans. Soon enough, however, they must deal with the Massachusetts estate of...
What is the role of your successor trustee?
Answering that question could help you choose who you would like to fulfill that role. When you started estate planning, you probably discovered that having a revocable living trust would greatly benefit you and your family. You serve as the trustee and still use and...
How can a trust elevate my estate plan?
If you are ready to consider how you want to distribute your estate after your death, you may be thinking of the simplest plan, which is writing a will. A will seems straightforward and flexible. You name your heirs and what they will inherit, and you name an executor...
How are a health care proxy and a living will different?
Estate planning documents guide not only what happens after you pass on, but also direct what occurs if you become incapacitated. Though it is unpleasant to imagine such scenarios, it is far worse to wind up in such a situation with no plans made to handle it.You...
Early distribution a mistake during estate administration
Being the executor of a Massachusetts estate is a major responsibility. This person will need to proficiently settle the estate's final affairs while also trying to mitigate the potential conflicts that could arise with surviving family members. Often, it is the...