Estate Planning
It is an unfortunate fact that 75% of all of us either have no estate planning, or planning that is out of date. This can result in the federal and state government becoming a partner in your estate. The federal estate tax rate for 2018 is 40% and the Massachusetts rate is 11%, for a total of 50% of your estate. This can largely be avoided with proper estate planning, including wills and revocable trusts, so that your assets can be passed on, in an orderly way, to your heirs. Proper estate planning will also allow your heirs to avoid the Probate Court process entirely, which will save them thousands of dollars and a substantial amount of aggravation.
Our services include:
- Estate Planning
- Wills & Revocable Trusts
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
- Dynasty Trusts
- Durable Powers of Attorney
- Health Care Proxies
- Pre-nuptial Agreements
Business Succession Planning
You have spent years building your business into the success that it now enjoys. You have many good and faithful employees, possibly even family members, who could take over when you retire. But have you made any plans whatsoever to insure that the leadership team will transition to the next generation? Unfortunately 95% of all businesses have done no succession planning, and do not have a properly funded buy-sell agreement in place. This can lead to disaster for the business, and for the business owner - you.
Our services include:
- Stockholder Agreements
- Partnership Agreements
- Corporate Updating
Corporate Law
All of you in business should have an attorney that you can call on for those everyday questions that affect your business. Remember, your attorney costs you nothing until you need him or her to assist you. I make it a point to never charge a client for routine questions over the telephone. There is only a cost, when actual legal work has to be done. We offer all of the services that the small and medium size business owner requires.
Our services include:
- Formation of business entities (corporations, LLCs)
- Negotiating the purchase and sale of a business
- Real estate and other leases
- Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements
- Full range of services for our Corporate Clients
Probate Court Proceedings
Those of you who neglected to institute proper estate planning or failed to re-title your assets to your various trusts, will unfortunately become acquainted with the Probate Court, it’s lengthy procedures and costs. Hopefully, you will have avoided this.
Our services include:
- Petitions for Probate
- Petitions for Voluntary Administration
- Probate Accountings
- Guardianship
- Conservatorship
Elder Law
It is unfortunate that many elders delay their planning until it is too late. Nursing home costs can consume an entire estate and only advanced planning can prevent this. We hope that you or your children will take action at the earliest possible date, so that proper planning can preserve your hard earned assets for your heirs.
Our services include:
- Medicaid planning strategies
- Deeds with life estate
- Irrevocable gift trusts
- Medicaid approved annuities an