In Massachusetts, a lost or misplaced will can present many problems for the family of the deceased. Losing a will may create lengthy and costly litigation among family members who each claim the estate of the deceased. Contentious litigation may drive a wedge through the family and could prevent the deceased’s true intentions from being […]
When someone in Massachusetts dies (the “decedent”), their property and ownership rights are passed along to heirs and beneficiaries through a process known as probate. The extent to which a decedent’s estate will need to be probated depends upon how their property was titled and if they had a will. In most instances, at least […]
What is a HIPAA Release? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of individuals’ medical records in the United States. Generally, HIPAA prohibits health care providers and insurance companies from disclosing a patient’s medical information to third parties without the patient’s prior […]
In Massachusetts, a lost or misplaced will can present many problems for the family of the deceased. Losing a will may create lengthy and costly litigation among family members who each claim the estate of the deceased. Contentious litigation may drive a wedge through the family and could prevent the deceased’s true intentions from being […]
Creating an estate plan is not an easy subject to broach, especially with someone who is young and healthy. Human nature allows us to always think we have time. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable, and as such, people can be caught off guard and die without ever executing even a simple will. If that is the […]
Upon their deaths, many individuals opt to leave part or all of their assets to a charity of their choosing. This is known as a charitable bequest. In fact, many charities rely on charitable bequests for a significant portion of their annual donations and regularly solicit bequests through fundraising drives. A charitable bequest can be […]
The amount of time that the probate process will take depends entirely upon the unique circumstances of each decedent’s estate. Factors that can affect how long the process will take include: The types of assets The number of assets and their monetary value The number of heirs Locating the heirs Determining heirs in the case […]
If you own or operate your own business, you likely have valid concerns regarding the future of your business should you pass away. Estate planning for a family business requires working with a competent estate planning attorney who can assist you with drafting a legally sound business succession plan.
The common issue of mental incapacity is one of the most important reasons for beginning the estate planning process early. While you may work hard at taking care of yourself, you do not know what the future has in store for you. Estate planning allows you to ensure that your assets are protected and distributed […]
Life insurance is a contract entered into between a policy holder and an insurance company. Specifically, the life insurance policy holder makes set payments to the insurance company in exchange for the promise that the company will pay a designated sum of money to a beneficiary in the event that the policy holder passes away. […]
