Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Reverse Mortgages And Estate Planning: A Guide
For many people in Massachusetts, their home equity is among their most important assets. As you age, you may consider looking for options to “tap” that equity. A reverse mortgage is one potential option. There are advantages and disadvantages to using a reverse mortgage. It is crucial that you and your family are able… Read More »
Elder Law In Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Senior citizens currently make up nearly 1 in 5 Americans—and that ratio is expected to rise over the next several decades (Pew Research Center). Older Americans have unique legal needs. Elder law is a specialized practice area designed to address those needs. At Fisher Law LLC, we provide solutions-focused elder law representation. Here, our… Read More »
Estate Planning: Understanding DNR Orders
Preparing for future health care needs is a vital—and too often under-looked—aspect of estate planning. There may eventually come a time when you will not be in a position to make your own medical decisions. A proper estate plan can ensure that you are able to have input on your care, if and when… Read More »
Estate Planning In Massachusetts: What Is A Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP)?
Are you married? If you have significant assets, an estate planning tool called a qualified terminable interest property or “QTIP” may be the right option for you to protect your assets and your beneficiaries. A QTIP can be especially useful if you have or your spouse has children from a previous relationship. Here, our… Read More »
Do You Have To Withdraw The Money From A Retirement Account You Inherited?
Through proactive estate planning, a person can leave the remainder of their retirement accounts to their heirs. What happens when a retirement account is inherited? The short answer is that the IRS has specific rules and regulations in place that require timely withdrawals. At Fisher Law LLC, we have extensive estate tax planning experience…. Read More »
Estate Planning In Massachusetts: Guide To Stepchildren
Many people are part of blended families. Pew Research Center estimates that 40 percent of U.S. adults have at least one “step relationship”—it could be a stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, or any combination. For those in step-families, there are major estate planning implications. It is crucial that you have the right strategy in place to… Read More »
Estate Planning: Know The Right Way To Name A Guardian For A Minor Child
Are you a parent of a minor child? If so, it is imperative that you make provisions for your child as part of your estate plan—and this includes naming a guardian. As defined by the Massachusetts Court System, a guardianship is “is a legal process that gives the guardian authority to care for and… Read More »
Report: Financial Ruin “Baked Into System” Due To Long-Term Care Costs (How You Can Prepare)
Recently, Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health News reported that financial ruin is “baked into the system.” The core issue is that long-term care costs are eating away at the life savings of many people in the United States. It is a very challenging problem. At the same time, there are proactive steps that people… Read More »
The Top Four Estate Planning Mistakes Small Business Owners In Massachusetts Must Avoid
Small businesses make enormous contributions to our community. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce reports that there are more 700,000 small businesses in Massachusetts. If you are a small business owner, it is imperative that you have a comprehensive estate plan in place. At Fisher Law LLC, we help small business owners protect their… Read More »
Four Things You Should Know About Special Needs Trusts In Massachusetts
Do you have a child or grandchild with special needs? If so, it is important to make additional considerations for him or her as part of your estate plan. A Special Needs Trust is a very valuable estate planning tool to help families support vulnerable loved ones without inadvertently causing them the loss of… Read More »