Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Estate Planning And Specific Bequests: What Massachusetts Families Need To Know
Are you preparing your estate plan? You may be considering including some specific bequests. If so, it is imperative that your estate plan is properly prepared. At Fisher Law LLC, we help people and families navigate the full range of estate planning matters. Here, our Norwood estate planning attorney provides a guide to specific… Read More »
Do Retirement Accounts Go Through Probate In Massachusetts?
For most people in Massachusetts, their retirement savings (401(K), IRA, Roth IRA, etc.) are amongst their most valuable assets. You may wish to leave the proceeds of your retirement account to a spouse, child, grandchild, or other loved one as part of your estate plan. This raises an important question: Do retirement accounts go… Read More »
Why Special Needs Loved Ones Require Specialized Considerations In An Estate Plan
If you have a child, grandchild, or other close loved one with special needs, there are some unique estate planning considerations that you need to be aware of. Leaving money or property directly to a special needs loved one could undermine their eligibility for public benefits. The good news is that there are estate… Read More »
What The Latest Federal Legislation Means For The Estate Tax
In July, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. The wide-ranging law has some important implications for the federal estate tax. Most notably, it makes permanent the increased exemption threshold that was set to expire at the end of the year. At Fisher Law LLC, we handle estate tax matters…. Read More »
Estate Planning In Massachusetts: Are There Any Risks With Leaving Real Property Directly To A Loved One?
Are you preparing to leave real property (real estate) to a loved one? You may be wondering if there are any risks to leaving them the title to a property directly. The short answer is that there are some risks to be aware of. It might still be the best and most straightforward option,… Read More »
Trust Planning In Massachusetts: Nominee Realty Trusts
Do you own real estate? If so, it is important to consider the best strategy to handle it in your estate plan. In Massachusetts, nominee realty trusts are a unique tool often used for real estate ownership. Unlike traditional trusts, they act primarily as a title-holding vehicle. One potentially major advantage is that they… Read More »
How Long Is A Typical Will In Massachusetts
A last will and testament is a foundational estate planning document. Every adult should have a well-constructed will. You may be wondering: How long is a typical will in Massachusetts? The short answer is “it depends.” Though, a standard will is usually somewhere between three pages and twenty-six pages, depending upon the goals of… Read More »
Can I Change My Estate Plan As Many Times As I Want?
Life changes. Your estate plan should be able to change with it. In Massachusetts, you generally have the right to revise your estate plan as often as you wish. Whether you want to update a will, modify a trust, or change beneficiaries, the law permits repeated changes as long as you have legal capacity…. Read More »
I Am Married And Do Not Have Children—Do I Still Need An Estate Plan?
Are you married without children? You are certainly not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, more than one in three married couples are currently in the same position. Even if you are married without children, you still need an estate plan. All adults in Massachusetts should have a well-constructed estate plan in place…. Read More »
Four Things You Should Not Do When Writing A Will In Massachusetts
Drafting a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and your legacy. Even with the best of intentions, issues do arise in estate administration when a will is poorly constructed or executed that causes confusion, disputes, or even invalidates the will altogether. Massachusetts has strict rules… Read More »