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The term “living will” can be misleading and confusing. Some think it is just another word for a last will and testament. A living will, however, is an expression of your desires with regard to end-of-life decisions. You might, for example, write that you do not want to be kept alive artificially if there is … Read More

Having a properly drafted and executed will does not prevent probate. Any assets you own at death in your name alone with no beneficiary must go through probate. Probate is the process that must occur in order to legally appoint someone to have access to and control over those assets after you die. If, at … Read More

As we age, many of us begin to worry about the cost of long-term care. The cost of a skilled nursing facility or nursing home in Western Massachusetts can range from $10,000 to $15,000 per month. It is quite difficult to protect all of one’s assets from such costs, but there is a fairly common … Read More

Scenario 1: Your father has a checking account in his name alone, but can no longer keep track of his finances. Bills were going unpaid. You’ve been stopping by his house every Sunday to organize the bills and fill out checks for him to sign. Suddenly, he becomes quite ill, is admitted to the hospital, … Read More

We are all familiar with the will, that dusty scroll riddled with outmoded phrases like “Know All by These Presents.” Even if you don’t have a will, you’ve watched enough detective dramas to know what a will does and why it is important. But what is a trust? And who needs one? And do you … Read More

There is no shortage of available online estate planning tools on the market, offering either free or low-cost health care proxies, powers of attorney, and wills. Why on earth would you hire a real attorney to do those things when you can whip them up in less than an hour and be done? Especially if … Read More