Massachusetts courts can handle the primary probate proceedings for most of the estate. However, if your loved one had property or assets located in other states, you will likely need to start ancillary probate proceedings. What is ancillary probate? Ancillary probate...
Estate Planning
What kind of long-term care will you need?
Statistically speaking, you have a significant chance of needing some sort of long-term care in your lifetime. That might leave you feeling stressed out, especially given the extensive costs associated with long-term care, but before getting wrapped up in doom and...
How to help a parent with Alzheimer’s create an estate plan
It is stressful and worrisome to have a parent who suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Seeing their cognitive decline and loss of memory can be heart-wrenching. You might also find yourself concerned about their needed medical care and the future of their estate. If...
How to reduce the risk of an estate plan challenge
As you create your estate plan, are you worried about some of your family members or friends contesting it? If so, then you may want to take additional steps to protect your estate and your plan for your assets. Otherwise, probate litigation can be costly to your...
Study: New retirement proposal could be a big boost for Massachusetts
It's common for employers to offer a retirement plan as part of their benefits package to attract employees, but many employers do not provide these plans at all, or only to certain employees. in fact, nearly 50% of American workers who are employed in private...
Why do people plan to avoid probate?
Those who read this legal blog regularly likely know about probate. For the uninitiated, probate is the legal process of settling an individual’s estate after death. It often poses challenges, such as time delays, expenses and the loss of privacy. As a result,...
Estate planning resources for young adults
If you are a young adult in Massachusetts, estate planning might not be high on your priority list. However, overlooking this crucial aspect can have significant consequences for you and your loved ones. Estate planning goes beyond distributing assets. It ensures your...
Protect your assets from estate recovery under MassHealth
Many elderly people who need long-term care are concerned about the cost. When they are approved for MassHealth – the state version of Medicaid – it is a relief. However, receiving MassHealth coverage does not fully protect their property after they are gone....
Understand your rights and responsibilities as a guardian
It is never easy to address the needs of an incapacitated or ill loved one. For Massachusetts residents who are faced with this issue, it is important to be aware not just of how to provide them with the medical care and assistance for daily living they might need,...
How to choose the right agent to serve as power of attorney
As you develop your estate plan, you should pay close attention to how you’re addressing your potential healthcare needs. While this certainly includes finding ways to ensure you have the financial resources necessary to pay for long-term medical care, including a...