Two things in life are certain: death and taxes. While we cannot help our clients avoid death, we can help to minimize our clients’ estate tax liability and make the disposition of their assets more manageable for their family, while also providing our clients with peace of mind as to what will happen after they are gone.
We know it is easy to put off planning your estate, but life is unpredictable. We also know that each client has different needs and goals to address with their estate plan. Our Estate Planning Attorneys are experienced at working closely with clients to create, on a flat fee basis, an estate plan that can grow and evolve with our clients as their situations change.
Our Estate Planning Lawyers work with young couples and individuals to create wills and trusts that address their most pressing areas of concern: (i) how will their assets be distributed upon their passing; (ii) who will provide care and guardianship for their children; and (iii) who will be authorized to act on their behalf in the event of their incapacity.
In addition to the above mentioned issues, we work with older, more established clients to provide advice and counsel how to minimize their Massachusetts and federal estate tax liability by incorporating credit shelter trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts and planned giving initiatives into their estate plan.
Our Elder Law Attorneys are well versed in Medicaid/MassHealth planning, working with clients who wish to preserve their assets in contemplation for the need for long-term care by facilitating carefully timed assets transfers to family members and incorporating income-only irrevocable Medicaid trusts. In addition, we provide advice and counsel to clients who are in a crisis planning situation with regard to spend-downs and other permissible actions. We can also assist an elderly client, or their family, with the appointment of a guardian or conservator to assist in their care and in the management of their assets, if necessary.
Working with our Massachusetts business clients, our Estate Planning Attorneys create estate plans that will minimize the risk of exposing the client’s personal assets, and address the orderly transfer of the business to the client’s family or chosen beneficiaries upon his or her death or disability.
In the event that an estate should require a formal probate administration, under the supervision of the Probate Court, our Estate Planning Attorneys can assist the Executor or Administrator with the filing of a petition for appointment, preparation of inventories and accounts, and provide advice and counsel with regard to the administration of the estate, and the final disposition of the decedent’s assets.