Massachusetts Estate Planning Services
Serving Families throughout the boston south shore Area
If something happened to you unexpectedly, what would happen to the people and property you’ve worked so hard to create? Where would your children go? Where would your investments go?
If you can’t answer these questions now, then that is the first thing we will determine together. If the results work for you, then great! If not, then we determine what will work best for both you and your family.
HOW WE HELP
Initially, we will sit and learn more about each other and the ideas and goals you have for your estate plan. We will clarify what assets you currently have and what your thoughts are relative to the well-being of your family. If you decide that changes need to be made and our connection is a good fit, then we will design an estate plan that will leave you confident in knowing you made the best decisions for you and your loved ones.
The foundation of your estate plan will often include the following:
Last Will and Testament – Your Will allows you to designate an individual that will manage your estate and distribute your assets to identified individuals in a manner and time that is based on your wishes. Your Will may also determine whether assets will be placed in trust and who your minor children will live with if you die before they reach adulthood.
Power of Attorney – A Power of Attorney allows you to select a trusted individual to manage your financial decisions. A Power of Attorney can be drafted to give immediate authority to your agent or to take effect only if you become incapacitated. Without a Power of Attorney, you may need a court to appoint a Conservator to manage your financial matters in the event you become incapacitated.
Healthcare Directives – Having a Health Care Proxy and HIPPA Release allows you to select a trusted individual to serve as your medical decision maker in the event that you are not able to discuss or make your own medical decisions. Without these directives, you may be forced to rely on a court to appoint a Guardian to make your medical decisions.
Trust – A Trust is an agreement that allows you to transfer ownership of assets to a separate legal entity in order to protect and preserve the assets for the benefit of you and/or your loved ones. Trusts may be used to provide support for your spouse and children, to protect assets from creditors, to preserve eligibility for government benefits, to avoid probate, to reduce or eliminate estate taxes, and to control the use or disposition of assets after you have passed away.