Trust
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…
Read MoreUndue 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…
Read MoreLessons 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…
Read MoreEstate 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…
Read MoreThe ABLE Act: Tax-Free Savings for People with Disabilities
Recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act provides the opportunity for those who became disabled before the age of 26 to set up tax-free savings accounts where they will be able to save $14,000 a year without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.…
Read MoreEstate 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?…
Read More3 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…
Read MoreThe Landmark SCOTUS Decision that Impacts your Inherited IRA
In a landmark decision handed down on June 12, 2014, the United States Supreme Court held that inherited IRAs are not protected from creditors in a bankruptcy claim. In Clark v. Rameker, the Supreme Court unanimously held that retirement funds inherited by a beneficiary after the original plan participant’s death are not considered “retirement funds”…
Read MoreAn Introduction to High-Net Worth Estate Planning
Estate planning is an important concern for anyone who desires their affairs be handled according to their wishes after their death. Planning for high-net worth individuals and families is complex and dependent upon the particular desires of the family. High-net worth estate planning should be handled carefully, so that your estate, which you’ve worked hard…
Read MoreCollege Planning for Special Needs Students
College is an investment in your child’s future and it is no doubt worth it, but with education costs rising, it can certainly be expensive. Planning for your child’s education should be a priority and many benefit from starting early. Starting a “college fund” in a child’s early years can be a smart investment, as…
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