Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Percentage Of People Are Required To Pay The Estate Tax?
A big part of estate planning is preparing your finances so that you can leave the most for the people who care about. Estate taxes are a concern for a lot of people. This raises an important question: How many people are actually required to pay the estate tax? The short answer is that… Read More »
Can A Person With Health Care Proxy Override A Living Will?
A proper estate plan should be truly comprehensive. It should provide adequate protection to you and your family regardless of what tomorrow might bring—and that includes planning for health care needs and the risk of incapacity. For most people, this means adding a Living Will and a Health Care Proxy to their estate plan…. Read More »
Why It Is Best To Make Final Arrangements As Part Of Your Estate Plan
An estate plan should be comprehensive. You can use your estate plan to make provisions for your minor children, your property and assets, and your end-of-life care. It is also a best practice to include instructions for your final arrangements as part of your estate plan. At Fisher Law LLC, we help people and… Read More »
How Do I Choose The Beneficiary For My Estate Plan?
Are you putting together your estate plan in Massachusetts? If so, it is crucial that you identify the people who you want to benefit from your property and assets. At Fisher Law LLC, we people and families navigate even the most complex of estate planning matters. Here, our Boston estate planning lawyer highlights key… Read More »
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 »