Author Archives: Jay Butchko
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 »
Should I Plan For My Funeral As Part Of My Estate Plan?
Planning ahead for the future often means making some difficult decisions—especially about what happens after you pass away. For that reason, including funeral and burial arrangements in your estate plan can ease the burden on your loved ones during an emotionally challenging time. Indeed, thoughtful funeral planning is a final act of care that… Read More »
Why Do People Plan To Avoid Probate In Massachusetts?
Probate is a court-supervised process through which a deceased person’s estate is finalized. It is governed by state law. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code regulates probate in the Commonwealth. You may be wondering: Why do so many people make a plan to avoid probate? The short answer is that probate can be a long,… Read More »
Three Lesser Known (But Still Common) Estate Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Every adult should have a comprehensive estate plan. Your estate plan should be customized to meet your specific needs. A cookie-cutter estate plan is simply not good enough for you and your family. Even people who know a lot about estate planning still often make errors. Here, our Boston estate planning attorney highlights three… Read More »