Attorney Sheryl Dennis Quoted in Barron’s

“Someone who doesn’t own a home and who has limited assets might also prefer to start with a will for cost and simplicity, and then they could consider a trust down the road once they’ve accumulated property or other assets”, says Sheryl Dennis, founding partner at Fields and Dennis LLP in Wellesley, Mass. “Anyone who…

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Trusts Aren’t Marital Property, Says Massachusetts Supreme Court

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Curt Pfannenstiehl v. Diane Pfannenstiehl recently came to an important decision regarding how Massachusetts treats spendthrift trusts in divorce. By doing so, the court overthrew the controversial decisions of the lower courts, which would have radically adjusted the way trusts are viewed in Massachusetts. The function of these trusts…

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Undue Influence and Estate Planning – What You Need to Know

When we think of “Undue Influence”, we think of contested wills, families divided and older, vulnerable people exploited by self-interested relatives. Declaring undue influence is often used as a reason to contest a will or estate plan, but there are two ways to consider undue influence in estate planning. If you’re the one drafting a…

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Lessons in Estate Planning and Privacy from Harper Lee

Harper Lee, legendary and reclusive author of the literary classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” passed away in February 2016 at the age of 89. Though Lee fiercely maintained her privacy, she did publish another novel before the end of her life entitled “Go Set a Watchman.” As a result of her literary success, Lee reportedly…

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Estate Planning and Second Marriages

Maintaining an updated estate plan is an important aspect of financial care. It is especially important to update following a divorce and/or the start of a second marriage. Blended families and new marriages create an interesting problem for will-makers, as they must find a way to honor the new spouse and children without disregarding children…

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Sheryl Dennis on Legacy Planning in Lawyers Weekly

Sheryl Dennis was recently quoted in the March 12, 2015 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Attorney Dennis was consulted on digital legacy planning as it pertains to a new Facebook feature that allows individuals to choose a “legacy contact” to manage their account in the event of their death. The article, “Estate planners welcome Facebook’s…

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The Tax Responsibilities your Family May Be Overlooking

As the year comes to an end, you may be accessing your financial plan in preparation for the New Year. While tax planning is something most working adults are generally informed about, there are tax obligations that some may not be fully aware of. If you have young children, it could come as a surprise…

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Estate Planning Advice on Disinheriting a Child

When considering your estate plan, one of the things you will have to think about is who your beneficiaries will be. If you have a significant estate, this decision is made even more complex.  How will you divvy up your assets, who will receive an inheritance and are there those who you will deliberately exclude?…

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3 Easily Avoidable Estate Planning Mistakes

Estate planning is not a topic that many like to think about. After all, planning for our death can be a morbid way to pass the time. But, instead of thinking about the negative, it is important to remember the positive attributes of estate planning – namely, the security and future well-being of your family…

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