Writing a will is one of the most important documents you’ll ever pen, yet many well-intentioned people can make surprising financial mistakes that cause confusion, legal battles, and family in-fighting.
Tracy A. Craig, Chair of our Trusts and Estate Practice Group, shared her perspective on the most common...
Children who are concerned about their aging parents’ well-being are increasingly turning to assisted living to help them. However, assisted living requires diligent planning to ensure that parents are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. By recognizing the exact needs of your parents, and taking prudent steps to manage their...
Recently, Massachusetts revised its homestead law to increase the amount of protection for homeowners. There is still an automatic protection of $125,000 in Massachusetts without the need for filing a declaration of homestead with the Registry of Deeds. However, under the revised law, homeowners in the Commonwealth who file a declaration of...
Probate is the process by which an individual’s last will and testament is determined to be valid (or “proved”) so that the decedent’s final wishes regarding estate assets can be settled. Although probate is avoidable in some cases, there are many estates that must be subjected to this process before property can...
Tracy Craig, Chair of our Trusts and Estates Practice Group, recently contributed an informative article to Kiplinger, focused on individuals interested in including charitable giving in their estate plans. This giving can take many forms. Oftentimes, a donor-advised fund can provide a very cost effective and easy way to give to charities,...
It’s tough to lose a loved one, but despite the grief, some tasks must be handled to deal with the estate. One potentially complex area is the transition of the decedent’s bank accounts to his or her beneficiaries. Seder Law’s Estates & Trusts practice aims to simplify the process by helping...
Tracy Craig, Chair of our Trusts and Estates Practice Group, has been recently quoted in a Business Insider article discussing the complexities of inheritance tax. The article delves into the mechanics of inheritance tax, who is liable to pay it, and strategies for effective tax planning.
You’ve spent your life working to amass wealth in the hopes of having some money to live on during your retirement. If you’re like most people, you also want to pass on some of that wealth to your children and grandchildren. However, there is always the threat of chronic illness and the...
There are many different types of trusts that an individual can create as part of their estate plan. These trusts serve a variety of purposes such as providing for the support of beneficiaries, minimizing taxes, and avoiding the costly and time-consuming probate process. Seder Law’s Estates & Trusts lawyers can discuss your...
Tracy Craig, Chair of the firm's Trusts and Estates Practice Group, recently published an article featured in Kiplinger, "How to Handle Estate Planning for Multigenerational Living Arrangements".
In this notable article, Tracy delves into the complexities that arise when multiple generations cohabitate on a shared property. She adeptly...
