A wheelchair sits empty in the middle of a brightly lit hallway in a medical facility.

What Steps Can I Take Now to Protect My Assets If I Need Assisted Living?

How can I Protect My Assets If I Need Assisted Living?  Nursing home costs are skyrocketing, causing many seniors to worry that they will be forced to deplete hard-earned resources that might otherwise be passed on to their children and grandchildren. Fortunately, there are steps that older Americans can take now – before they need…

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Estate and trusts attorney speaking with clients

How Do Inheritance Taxes Differ From Estate Taxes?

Taxes are complex and the terminology surrounding them can be confusing. This is no less true with respect to estate planning. And while “estate tax” and “inheritance tax” are often used as synonyms, they actually have very distinct meanings. Knowing how inheritance taxes differ from estate taxes will help you prepare for any tax consequences…

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family of five walking in a field during the sunset

Why New Parents Should Consider Developing a Trust

Parenthood, especially when a first child is on the way, is a busy time. Long before your child is born or adopted, you’ll be worrying about choosing names, decorating the nursery, and much more. But planning for your child’s financial future should start early, which means considering a trust. New families in Massachusetts can benefit…

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A senior woman's hand points to a document while a man's hand rests on the table.

How Do I Take Care Of My Parents’ Money?

How Do I Take Care Of My Parents’ Money? As your parents age, you may notice they are showing signs of aging like forgetfullness, or irresponsible spending. As they age, they lose the mental acuity they had when they were younger. This can make them more vulnerable to financial exploitation, identity theft, or making unwise…

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Client meeting with estate planning attorney

Strategies to Minimize Probate Costs

When a person dies, his or her estate must usually be probated. Probate is a process for determining who receives property and assets and settling debts against the estate. Although probate can be time-consuming and expensive, there are strategies to minimize robate costs. The dedicated Estates and Trusts attorneys of Seder Law can help you…

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last will and testament

Qualities of a Successful Estate Executor

Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions you will make as you create your comprehensive estate plan. The executor’s responsibilities are numerous and must be fulfilled diligently if your estate is to be properly managed. Not everyone is up to the task or even willing to serve as an executor. What are…

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A person's hand drops a coin into a glass jar labeled

‘Tis the Season: Gifting And Charitable Giving Through Estate Planning

While estate plans are thought of primarily as means to pass on property to relatives, they can also be used to provide gifts and charitable donations to those outside the family. Using an estate plan for gifting and charitable giving is a rather common occurrence. These plans can even reduce tax liability for individuals, their…

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Fiduciary Services: Personal Representatives for Probate Estate and Trust Fiduciary Services

Lawyers typically serve as advocates.  We protect our clients’ rights in the boardroom, in the courtroom, in the negotiating room, and before government agencies.  We negotiate, or litigate, successful legal outcomes for our clients.  This protection covers your health, your interests in real property, your business, your assets and estate, your finances, your spouse, children…

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Types of Probate and Benefits of Each

When you lose a family member the logistics can be overwhelming. Between funeral arrangements, coordinating with other relatives, and grieving, it can be hard to know how to proceed. After the initial decisions have been made, and life has settled down, you may have even more decisions to make. What do you do with your…

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Duties of a Personal Representative

You can determine the disposition of their assets and personal property after your death by creating a will and a comprehensive estate plan in advance. Without these documents, assets will pass to heirs as determined by state law through the probate process. Having a will can both simplify the process and enable you to make…

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