Author Archives: Jay Butchko
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 »
What Is A Life Care Plan?
Estate planning is about a lot more than putting a few legal documents in place. It is about organizing all of your affairs so that you and your family are properly protected—no matter what tomorrow might bring. Life care planning is a specialized sub-category of estate planning focused on those who have—or are expected… Read More »
Estate Planning: Three Benefits Of Setting Up A Charitable Remainder Trust
Do you want to leave money to charity as part of your estate plan? A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) may be your best option. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) explains that a Charitable Remainder Trust is a type of irrevocable trust that allows you to “donate assets to charity and draw annual income for… Read More »
An Overview Of The Big Five Estate Planning Documents
You are never too young to start estate planning. Every adult in Massachusetts can benefit from a plan that effectively protects their rights, interests, finances, and future. You may be wondering: How do I get started with estate planning? The best step that you can take is to set up a confidential initial consultation… Read More »
Own Property In Multiple States? What You Need To Know About Recent Changes To The Massachusetts Estate Tax
The estate tax exemption in Massachusetts is far below the federal level. In fact, the Massachusetts estate tax exemption—$2 million—is one of the lowest in the entire country. Notably, the estate tax exemption recently doubled from $1 million. With that increase, came other changes—including a reform that impacts people who own property in other… Read More »
Can You Disinherit A Child From Your Will In Massachusetts?
An estate plan allows you to retain control of your property and assets. In Massachusetts, a person has broad discretion to organize his or her own affairs. While most people opt to keep their kids at the center of their estate plan, you have the right to disinherit a child—but, to meet legal standards,… Read More »
529 Plans And Estate Planning: What They Are, Why They Are Useful, And How To Set One Up
The cost of college continues to rise. A parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other person who cares about a child’s future, you may want to provide financial support to their education. A 529 plan is one of the most cost effective estate planning tools to support a child’s future education. In this article, our Boston… Read More »