Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Estate Planning: What Is The Best Way To Leave Money To A Grandchild?
Are you a grandparent in Massachusetts who is reviewing your estate plan? If so, you may be considering the best way to leave money or property to your grandchild(ren). There are a number of different options available to do so. At Fisher Law LLC, we help people and families find the best solution for… Read More »
Estate Planning For Unmarried Parents: How To Name A Guardian
According to data from the Pew Research Center, a growing percentage of parents with minor children are unmarried. They may be divorced or separated, but still together as parents. Regardless of the situation, unmarried parents have some unique estate planning needs, one of which may include the process for naming a guardian for their… Read More »
My Elderly Parent’s Estate Plan Is A Mess, What Can I Do?
Do you have aging parents? If so, you may be getting increasingly worried about helping them plan for the future. One key issue you should consider is whether or not they have a comprehensive, up-to-date estate plan in place. This raises an important question: What can I do if my elderly parent needs estate… Read More »
Does A Will Need To Be Notarized In Massachusetts?
Are you writing a will? If so, you need to make sure that all of the legal requirements for the document are satisfied so that it will be legally enforceable. You may be wondering: Does a will need to be notarized to be legally valid in Massachusetts? The short answer is “no.” Although getting… Read More »
Know Your Estate Planning Options: 529 Plans
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) explains that a 529 plan is a “plan operated by a state or educational institution, with tax advantages and potentially other incentives to make it easier to save for college and other post-secondary training.” If you have funds within a 529 plan, there are important estate planning considerations. Here,… Read More »
Estate Planning: Should Each Child Get The Same Share?
Are you a parent with multiple children? If so, they may end up being the primary (or sole) beneficiaries of your estate plan. You may be trying to decide: Should I give each child the same share of my estate? It is a very personal decision with no one “right” answer. Here, our Boston… Read More »
When Is It Too Late To Write A Will In Massachusetts?
Are you considering writing a will in Massachusetts? If you are already a senior, you may be wondering whether or not it is too late to put a will in place. The short is that you can create—or revise—a will at any time as long as you still have legal capacity. Here, our Boston… Read More »
How To Talk To Your Elderly Family Members About Estate Planning—Without Starting A Fight
Estate planning is essential. You need the right plan in place to protect yourself, your finances, and your family. Open communication is a key part of effective estate planning, whether it is between you and your attorney, or between you, as the adult child and your elderly parent, or, you and your adult children…. Read More »
Life Care Planning And Dementia
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that as many as 1 in 9 senior citizens has some form of dementia. When a loved one is diagnosed with this type of degenerative condition, families face both emotional and practical challenges. Life care planning helps create a clear roadmap that balances medical needs with legal protections and financial… Read More »
Can I Leave My IRA To My Spouse?
Individual Retirements Accounts (IRAs and Roth IRAs) are tax advantaged. They can be a great way to build wealth. You may be wondering: Can I leave my IRA to my spouse as part of my estate plan? Not only is the answer “yes”—but recent changes to federal law make it more advantageous to do… Read More »