Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can An Unmarried Partner Claim Assets Through Intestate Succession Massachusetts?
When a person dies in the Commonwealth, their estate will need to be settled so that their property and assets can go to the appropriate heirs. This generally happens through a process called probate. Probate is simply the court supervised process for the transferring property ownership after someone has died. During probate, a person’s… Read More »
Can You Use Power Of Attorney (POA) To Revise Or Revoke A Will In Massachusetts?
Every adult in Massachusetts should have a comprehensive, well-rounded estate plan in place. A Will is a foundational document in any estate plan. Other documents—including a Durable Power of Attorney ( a “DPOA” or “POA”)—are also key parts of an estate plan. You may be wondering whether the person named in the DPOA, which… Read More »
Estate Planning: Does A Trust Fully Protect Assets From Creditors?
Asset protection is a core part of estate planning. When used properly, a trust can be one of the most effective and efficient asset protection tools. You may be wondering: Will a trust fully protect assets from creditors? The answer is “it depends on what type of trust you have—only some types of trusts… Read More »
Is Your Child A Current Or Soon-To-Be College Student? Four Reasons That You Should Help Them Set Up An Estate Plan
While every adult should have a comprehensive estate plan, the vast majority of adults, young and old, do not have one. A recent survey found that 8 in 10 adults under 40 lack a Will. If you are the parent of a college student or soon-to-be college student, helping them create a simple estate… Read More »
Report: Big Increase In Nursing Home And Long-Term Care Costs Expected
The cost of a private room in a nursing home is almost unfathomably high. Senior Living estimates that it is $13,500 per month in Massachusetts in 2023—the second highest for any state in the Continental U.S., behind only Connecticut. Our clients report to us, however, that the typical cost for long-term nursing care is… Read More »
Probate In Massachusetts: What To Know About Creditor Notification Requirements
When a person passes away in Massachusetts, their estate must be administered wherein creditors claims are satisfied, taxes (if any) and expenses paid, and then remaining assets distributed. The estate administration process, which may involve filing the decedent’s Last Will and Testament for probate, has many steps. In this article, our Norwood probate lawyers… Read More »
Estate Planning In Massachusetts: Five Things You Might Not Know About Beneficiary Designations
An estate plan should be comprehensive. Beneficiary designations are an important part of an estate plan. Investopedia explains that a designated beneficiary is simply “a person who has been named to inherit an asset.” Proper use of beneficiary designation can simplify the estate planning process and put you and your family in the best… Read More »
How Should Parents Talk To Their Children About Estate Planning?
Estate planning is about preparing yourself, your family, and your assets for the future. A proper estate plan should be legally compliant—that is to say that you need all of the right documents in place. At the same time, effective estate planning is also about more than what is down on paper. Communication is… Read More »
Estate Planning In Massachusetts: Should I Appoint A Health Care Proxy?
What goes into an estate plan? A good estate plan should be comprehensive and customized to meet a person’s unique needs and goals. Health care planning is an important aspect of an estate plan. You may benefit from putting a health care proxy in place. Within this article, our Boston estate planning attorney discusses… Read More »
Probate In Massachusetts: What Is A Voluntary Administration?
When a person passes away in Massachusetts, their estate must be settled before their property and assets can be passed down to their beneficiaries. An estate is resolved through the probate process. If you have heard anything about probate, you are probably aware that its reputation is that it can be a time-consuming, complicated,… Read More »