In Massachusetts, simple estate planning for parents of minor children can be boiled down to three items on a “to do” list. My “To Do” list is a mile long. I’m going to guess that yours is, too. Every day, I write down the Top Three Things I need to get done that day. Schedule […]
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Do You Need A Living Will?
If you ask a lawyer a general legal question, 99% of the time, the answer will be “it depends.” That is not the case if you ask a Massachusetts lawyer, “Do I need a living will?” The answer will always be “No.” Why? A “Living Will” is a legally binding document that identifies a […]
Suddenly On Your Own? Here’s How to Start Managing Your Family’s Finances.
Are you the family finance manager — all of a sudden? Whether you recently separated or your spouse has become unable to take care of the bills, taking charge of your family’s finances can be overwhelming at first. You may feel like you have no clue where to begin. Here is your roadmap. 1. Look […]
Why My Estate Plan is on my Summer Bucket List
A “Bucket” List is a list of things that people want to do before they kick the bucket. It usually contains daredevil or exotic activities, like skydiving or visiting Paris. Some people have started to create summer bucket lists — things they hope to do during the upcoming summer. My summer bucket list is both: […]
Can I Default on my Student Loans?
Lee Siegel would like you to think so. He recently wrote the New York Times Op-Ed, Why I Defaulted on my Student Loans, arguing that defaulting on federal student loans can be done while still avoiding financial disaster. I disagree. I won’t take a stance on the morality of paying student loans, although I will say […]
Should I Refinance my Student Loans?
If you have student loans, you have probably received multiple offers to refinance your student loans. Private lenders are getting into the $1 trillion student loan market because student loans enjoy a special status: They cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. That makes them particularly attractive to private lenders. If you’re wondering whether you should refinance your student loans, […]