A revocable trust is a powerful tool for avoiding probate and managing assets, but it only controls assets that have been titled in the trust’s name, or assets that pass…

Joint bank and investment accounts are among the most common assets families hold together. When one account holder dies, the surviving owner often expects immediate, uninterrupted access. In many cases…

Many families ask about living wills when they start thinking about medical planning. It’s a reasonable question, and the answer reveals something important about how Massachusetts handles end-of-life decisions differently…

Most families spend time thinking about who should inherit their assets but far less time thinking about how those assets are owned. The form of ownership on a bank account,…

When a loved one dies, one of the first questions families face is whether their estate must go through probate. In Massachusetts, the answer depends largely on the type of…

Most families in Massachusetts hear the phrase “estate tax” and assume it applies only to the very wealthy. At the federal level, that assumption holds. The federal estate tax exemption…

Number 1: Avoidance of Probate Establishig a revocable trust, and properly funding the trust, avoids probate on assets that would traditionally trigger probate.  These assets include real estate and privately…

Estate planning carries with it many assumptions and misconceptions, more so than other areas of law. Families often arrive at an initial consultation with beliefs picked up from the internet,…

One of the first decisions families face when building an estate plan is who should fill the key roles: guardian, executor (called a Personal Representative in Massachusetts), and trustee. These…