Administering Estates and Trusts
Whether you’re trying to envision how your family will handle your loss or a survivor in the wake of a loved one’s passing, you’re probably wondering the same thing: What actually happens next? Is there an actual gathering for a “Reading of the Will”, as we’ve all...New 529 Plan Rules Bring Significant Changes
By Brendan J. King When the new Tax Cut and Jobs Act was signed into law in December 2017, it also expanded the benefits of tax-favored 529 savings from what were previously allowed. K-12 Tuition A 529 plan is an indispensable tax advantaged tool that allows parents...Veterans Administration Drastically Changes Aid and Attendance Rules
By Linda T Cammuso After several years of discussions and proposed legislation, the Veterans Administration (VA) has finally promulgated new rules significantly changing the criteria for veterans and their spouses to be eligible for Aid and Attendance pension benefits...
Special Needs and Disability: Getting Personal
The clinical interpretation of “special needs” is an individual who requires specialized assistance or other accommodations for difficulties that may be medical, mental or psychological. The application of “disability” is more often associated with physical...
What You Need to Know: Current Trends in Estate Planning
As we approach the end of 2013, we are struck by the significant number of legal developments the year has brought on both the state and Federal levels. Consistent with our philosophy of remaining on the cutting edge of estate planning, we will be highlighting several...
Estate Planning for Retirement Accounts: Have your Cake and Eat It Too
For many of us, “qualified retirement accounts” such as IRAs and 401Ks make up the bulk of our retirement savings. These accounts, which are funded with pre-tax earn-ings and grow income tax-free, are great vehicles for sav-ing and investing, but pose a unique...
Asset Protection: An Everyday Part of Estate Planning
To many people, the term “asset protection” con-jures up images of Swiss bank accounts or hiding assets in someone else’s name. In reality, asset protection bears little re-semblance to the stereotypical Hollywood notions that capture the imagination. At its most...
Countless Excuses for Estate Planning Procrastination
Who among us has not oc-casionally procrastinated? We say: “I’ll get to it tomor-row” or “I’ll deal with this later.” Putting off cleaning the garage is one thing; putting off establishing your estate plan is quite another. Those who procrastinate about the estate...
Changes to Probate Laws Expected on March 31
As we cross the threshold into a new year, there are several notable developments relating to probate laws that we want to call to your attention. Significant changes to the Massachusetts Uniform Pro-bate Code (MUPC) are due to go into effect on March 31, 2012. [Click...
Layers of Protection: From Estate Planning to Total Estate Preservation
People commonly assume that estate planning and as-set protection planning are one and the same. In reality, estate planning by itself does very little to protect your estate during your life. Estate planning is the pro-cess of creating legal docu-ments to dispose of...