We all like to think that we’ll be hale and hearty until the end of our days. For many of us, just thinking about becoming terminally ill, being in a serious accident, or losing ourselves to a degenerative disease can be too much to bear. Sadly, though, ongoing good...
Planning to improve the lives of those you love
People tend to think about estate planning in terms of death and dying. While these concepts are central to the process of estate law, preparing for your death is not the point of most estate plans — you are preparing to improve the lives of those who survive you....
Important times to update an estate plan
There are several important times in the life of an estate planner when they should consider updating their estate plan. This is in addition to regularly reviewing their estate plan. Estate planning is in important part of an estate planner’s life which is why an...
5 questions to help your parents with estate planning
When adult children find out about their family’s estate after the parents die, this limits the extent of what they know about their parents’ wishes. Having financial discussions up front gives more opportunity for planning. Asking the right questions of your aging...
What events require you to update your estate plan?
After creating your estate plan, you may have found no need or reason to review it. Yet, if you have let yours sit for years, it may no longer reflect your assets, beneficiaries or intentions. Failing to update your plan could create discord among your loved ones once...
Intestate succession: An important will planning consideration
A will is a useful estate planning tool for a Massachusetts resident who wishes to clearly identify their assets and the parties they wish to receive it after they pass on. Wills must conform to certain legal requirements, and before an individual prepares a will they...
Estate planning to avoid family conflict
For many people, estate planning is a frightening endeavor. It involves thinking about your own declining health and death, as well as how your family is going to move on without you. Even those who create an estate plan may not realize the real world implications of...
Things to consider before disinheriting a child
Let's say that, for one reason or another, you are not as close to one of your children as the others. Perhaps your current relationship is strained, or you have no relationship at all. Things may have gotten to the point that you are thinking about leaving your adult...
A letter of instruction can give your estate plan context
Thinking about death is hard. Most people avoid it as much as possible. Yet, it's a necessary contemplation if you want to engage in estate planning. While this process is certainly about figuring out how you want your assets to be dispersed upon your passing, there's...
Is it time to change your will?
If it's been several years since you created your estate plan, it may be time to make some changes. Things may be different in your life now, and your priorities may not be the same as when you wrote your will five, 10 or 20 years ago. For example, if you have gotten...