“Probate.” You’ve heard the term. Usually, it’s uttered with the phrase “avoiding probate” or “dealing with probate.” No one ever wants to talk about probate. Except maybe probate and estate planning attorneys. Here are the 6 most frequently asked questions I get about probate in Massachusetts. As a preliminary matter, Massachusetts no longer uses the […]
Massachusetts
Three Ways to Reduce your Estate Tax Liability with Lifetime Gifts
Although the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased the federal estate tax threshold to a whopping $11.18 million for 2018, the Massachusetts estate tax threshold remains exactly where it’s been for years — at $1 million. That leaves Massachusetts families wondering how they can maximize their children’s inheritances by avoiding or reducing their estate taxes. […]
What Every Divorcing Parent Should Know About Custody
If you have children with your spouse, divorce won’t be the end of your relationship. You’ll both need to figure out a partnership that works for your child’s best interests. Divorced parents typically share custody and need to communicate about everything from schedules to educational plans. Here are some basics: There is a Difference between […]
5 Ways to Prep your Finances for Divorce
Before the attorneys and judges look into every aspect of your financial life, it’s important to prep your finances for divorce. With the right preparation, you reduce the risk of your spouse racking up debt in your name and trashing your credit score, and help the process go a little more smoothly. Once you file […]
Roadmap of the Divorce Process in Massachusetts
The divorce process can be confusing and frustrating if you don’t know what’s in store for you. Even worse, there are so many unfamiliar terms that divorce attorneys use on a regular basis, sometimes they forget to explain them all. This Roadmap of the Divorce Process lays out the timeline of the divorce process in […]
Three Estate Planning Essentials for Parents
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 […]