Estate Planning and Probate - Wills
- Trusts
- Guardianships
- Powers of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxies
- Living Wills
- Limited Partnerships
- Probate Administration
- Planning for Non-Traditional Families
Estate planning is important, no matter how small your estate may be. It allows you, while you are still living, to ensure that your property will go to the people you want, in the way you want, and when you want. It permits you to save as much as possible on taxes, court costs and attorneys' fees, and it affords the comfort that your loved ones can mourn your loss without being simultaneously burdened with unnecessary red tape and financial confusion. We can help you with all your estate planning instruments such as a durable power of attorney and a will. In addition to these planning instruments, more and more Americans today are using revocable-or "living" trusts-to avoid probate and to manage their estates both during their lives and after they're gone. A complete estate plan should also include a medical directive that may encompass a number of different documents, including a health care proxy, a durable power of attorney for health care, a living will, and medical instructions. Our attorneys work with clients to develop personalized strategies for family wealth preservation, as well as achieving philanthropic goals. We provide sound planning advice and representation to individuals, unmarried couples, families, nontraditional families, and businesses throughout Massachusetts. Some common estate planning services include: - Wills
- Trusts
- Family limited partnerships
- Family foundations
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
- Charitable remainder trusts
- Charitable lead trusts
- Grantor retained annuity trusts
- Qualified personal residence trusts
To fill out our Estate Planning Form , please click here . Probate and Trust Administration -Logically following estate planning is probate and trust administration-putting the plan into operation. We represent fiduciaries and beneficiaries in probate courts by filing the necessary pleadings to admit a decedent's will to probate, preparing all documents and filings required under the law, and preparing income tax returns for the estate, as well as any required estate tax returns. Trust administration does not usually require court pleadings or filings, but many of the same administration, distribution or tax issues are present and require attention. In this area, our attorneys counsel fiduciaries regarding the rights and interests of beneficiaries, and recommend steps or actions to help the fiduciary operate the trust in compliance with the appropriate fiduciary laws and avoid personal liability for their actions, or inaction. We take special care during these difficult times to represent families with caring and compassionate counsel, guidance and direction. We are well aware of the stress that legal proceedings often times add to a difficult situation, and strive to complete the formal process as quickly as possible while maintaining an eye towards your expressed goals. Experience enables us to counsel surviving spouses and children during this transition and help them make sound legal decisions for their future.
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