By having an estate plan, you will provide your family with peace of mind. They won’t have to worry about what happens to your assets, including money, property and investments. You have clearly made the decision as to what will happen with your money through a will or trust. Because of your decision and instructions, your family may have an easier time dealing with your unexpected death. Moreover, proper planning can save your estate thousands in court related expenses.
Boston Estate Planning Lawyer
Estate Planning Attorney in Boston
Not many individuals want to think about what happens to their belongings once they are no longer here. However, no matter your age, it is important to begin discussing and planning how exactly you want your property to be distributed amongst heirs following your death. A comprehensive estate plan can ensure that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are protected for years to come, and an experienced Boston estate planning attorney can help.
If you are ready to create or update a detailed estate plan, the team at Albanese Law, LLC is here to help. The reality is that no one knows when tragedy might strike, and without a proper estate plan in place, it can make it challenging and even impossible for your wishes to be carried out should you become incapacitated or even pass away. At Albanese Law, LLC, we know how hard you have worked for your assets and property and want to do whatever we can to protect your legacy.
Helping You Understand Your Elder Law And Estate Planning Options
Components of a Comprehensive Boston Estate Plan
Creating a robust and healthy estate plan can seem intimidating and even overwhelming to many folks. This is understandable, as a well-established plan can take a lot of thought and work. However, when you work with the team at Albanese Law, LLC, you can rest assured knowing that we will review your unique life situation and offer our knowledge and guidance on what specific estate planning tools will be suitable for you.
The key components of most Boston estate plans can include the following:
- Wills: A will, or a last will and testament, is a legal document that allows you to dictate how you want your assets and property to be divided and subsequently distributed following your death. A will can only distribute assets that are not already under another distribution tool, such as a trust. Wills can also help establish guardians for any surviving minor children and can appoint an executor to your estate.
- Trusts: Separate from wills, trusts can either replace a will in your estate plan, depending on your circumstances or work in conjunction with a will. Trusts are valuable tools for ensuring that your property goes to intended beneficiaries, that probate court can be potentially avoided, and that you can protect your hard-earned assets from possible erosion due to creditors or certain tax liabilities.
- Power of Attorney: A power of attorney is a legal document that gives authority to another person to act on your behalf when you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your desires on your own due to an illness, injury, or possible age-related condition. Decisions involved in a power of attorney can include any medical or financial decisions and can have a time limit assigned to them, depending on the exact nature of the document.
- Healthcare Proxies: Similar to a power of attorney, but not quite the same, a healthcare proxy allows you to name an individual who can have the power to make healthcare decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated and unable to do so yourself. Keep in mind, however, that a healthcare proxy allows the appointed individual to only make decisions regarding your health or medical care.
- Guardianships: This valuable estate planning tool allows you to name another individual as guardian to protect an adult or minor child who is unable to care for themself due to an incapacitating illness, severe injury, or other medical condition.
- Medicaid Planning: If you have a high net worth, a large monthly income, or highly valued assets, this might be a wise tool to include in your estate plan. Medicaid planning can help ensure you receive the care you need in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or even in your home. Individuals with higher worth, income, or assets might exceed the limits for Medicaid and need to protect these funds while still having access to benefits.
- Asset Protection: No matter how high your net worth or how many valuable assets you own, you will want to ensure that these assets are protected and your heirs receive them at the highest amount possible, rather than having to suffer their reduction due to creditors, tax liabilities, and even legal claims or disputes against your estate. At Albanese Law, LLC, we can work to ensure your estate plan offers asset protection.
Albanese Law, LLC: Estate Planning Lawyers Looking Out For Your Concerns
Whether you already have a plan in place, or you have recently decided to consider ways to protect yourself and your family, it is important to take a deeper look at that protection and whether it is adequate for your situation. If your estate plan is not properly drafted, even the best intentions can be undone. Many estate plans contain errors that could result in problems down the line. Moreover, with Massachusetts adopting the “Uniform Probate Code,” any previously drafted estate planning document(s) should be reviewed.
At Albanese Law, LLC, we offer a complete range of services and experience in estate planning, including issues of:
- Elder law services and representation
- Inheritance and estate tax planning
- Crisis and long-term care planning
- Asset protection concerning children
- Creation of powers of attorney
- Probate and estate administration
- Representation in the appointment of conservatorships and guardianships
- Health care proxy/advance directives
- Drafting of wills and trust documents
- Will contests/probate litigation
- Protection of Medicaid proceeds
- Special needs assistance
Our estate planning relies upon a knowledge-based approach that takes into account the unique circumstances of each client. We know how personal these issues are for a client and are empathetic in our dealing with people and the personal dynamics of every situation. Attorney Matthew Albanese will give you options and advice, but will respect your goals and pursue the outcome that you desire for you and your family.
Health Care Planning For Families
In health care planning and financial planning in Massachusetts, we understand the intricacies of the law and use them to make sure that you understand the documents you are signing and the tools you are using to protect your family. Start with a thorough review of your estate planning needs during a free consultation at our Milton office or at a convenient location of your choice.
Reasons to Update Your Massachusetts Estate Plan
There are many reasons why an individual might seek to update or modify their estate plan in Massachusetts. Moving to another state is one of the top reasons that might indicate a change is needed. While a will can stay intact following a move, other documents can be state-specific and warrant a change. Another reason would be that of divorce. If you or one of your heirs undergoes a divorce, you may wish to modify how your assets will be distributed.
Likewise, if you become remarried, it is important to ensure that your estate will provide for your new partner or ensure that your children will receive assets over any potential stepchildren in the event of your death. These can all be extremely tricky matters, and it is wise to modify or change a will only with the legal guidance and support of an experienced estate planning attorney.
How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Charge in Boston, MA?
It can be difficult to offer an exact number when looking for the average cost of hiring an estate planning lawyer. This is due to the fact that there can be several factors involved in these legal matters that can influence the fees of your attorney. These factors can include the overall complexity of your estate, the tools you wish to use in your estate plan, or if any disputes arise, such as wishing to remove or replace a trustee or the individual managing your trust.
Why Hire An Estate Planning Lawyer in Boston, MA
You’ve often had questions about estate planning. You’ve done research online, read books, asked trusted colleagues, but you still haven’t taken the necessary step to begin the process — that is contacting and hiring an estate planning lawyer.
Albanese Law, LLC , of Milton serves the Boston area and eastern Massachusetts. Our team has the experience and knowledge that you need in creating an estate plan. We can help you, whether it’s creating a will, trust or health care directive. An estate plan is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Attorney Matthew P. Albanese will personally talk with you and determine the ideal estate plan for you; ensuring that your planning is not left to interpretation or miscommunication.
Your Decisions, But We Provide Solid Insight
Throughout your life, you accumulated a significant amount of assets. And during this time, you may have married, had children, perhaps grown a business or even divorced or re-married. What will happen to these assets? You want to pass them on to loved ones, but how can you do that? An estate planning lawyer can guide you. Our team will answer your questions, share our knowledge and provide insight.
But remember, Mr. Albanese is simply your guide. The decision-making is yours and yours alone. And that means you have control over where your assets will go. A solid estate plan will provide you and your family with peace of mind, and it leaves your family in a solid position in the event of your untimely death.
Call Now For Advice On An Estate Plan
A skilled estate planning attorney is what you need if you want to create a definitive estate plan. It may be a will, or it may be a trust, but you need guidance as to how to distribute your assets after you die. Albanese Law, LLC , of Milton, Massachusetts, has more than 10 years of experience helping clients with estate plans. We have represented many clients in the Boston area and eastern Massachusetts. For a complimentary consultation, contact a lawyer at 617-698-8004 .
Keeping Your Plan Current
You’re already ahead of the curve because you have an estate plan. A will and health care directive are in place, an executor of the will as well as guardians for your children have been named. But something is amiss, and you may not know it. It was 20 years ago when you created your estate plan. Your life changed, the state and federal laws have changed, and so must your estate plan.
For more than a decade,Albanese Law, LLC, of Milton, Massachusetts, has guided families and individuals on estate planning needs. Led by Matthew P. Albanese, our team understands the intricacies of estate planning law in guiding clients with business holdings, millions of dollars in property or the typical middle-class family with a simple estate. Our legal team will provide the answers you seek when it’s time to update your estate plan, whether it be a will, trust or advance directive.
Update An Estate Plan When Life Events Happen
A neglected estate plan provides avoidable problems. When life events occur, it is essential to revise your will. Here are some situations that should prompt you to update an estate plan:
- Marriage
- The births of children or grandchildren
- The death of a loved one who had been a beneficiary
- Starting a business
- Divorce
- Recent diagnosis which may lead to disability or incapacity
Mr. Albanese is a skilled attorney who is up-to-date with current estate planning laws in Massachusetts. He and his staff will do their best to help you and your family take full advantage of the available options to help you keep your assets intact as much as possible.
We Provide Free Consultations
Updating an estate plan is a necessity when your life changes. Our law firm can help. For more than a decade, Albanese Law, LLC, of Milton, has provided a complete range of estate planning services to clients in Boston and eastern Massachusetts. We are thorough, client-focused, knowledgeable and resourceful. For a complimentary consultation, contact a lawyer at 617-698-8004.
Careful Drafting of Your Will And Trust
Estates of all sizes can benefit from an effective estate plan that includes a will or trust. These documents set the foundation for legally protecting property and other assets in the future. Wills and trusts can keep your family’s financial affairs private and make the process easier for beneficiaries upon death.
At the Boston-area law firm of Albanese Law, LLC , we understand the importance of establishing a valid and effective will or trust for the future. From a modest home to estates worth tens of millions of dollars, we know that no one plan is right for everyone and that it takes time and understanding to develop an estate plan that will work for each client. We are also sensitive to concerns of clients who have special needs children, nontraditional families, privately held assets and other circumstances.
Getting To Know Your Circumstances
The process of estate planning should always begin with the evaluation of the family’s goals and economic situation. Once we determine what will work best for your situation, we can help you understand those options, including:
- Wills
- Qualified trusts for retirement accounts
- Special needs trusts
- Revocable trusts
- Irrevocable trusts
- Asset protection
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
- Tax planning trusts
Trusts can go a step further in asset protection by protecting beneficiaries from creditors, ex-spouses, tax consequences and other long-term care expenses. We will clearly explain the potential benefits of trusts and wills and help you thoroughly analyze your financial situation.
Contact An Experienced Estate Planning Attorney
Contact us for more information regarding wills, trusts and estate planning tools for families in Massachusetts. Call the Milton office of Albanese Law, LLC , to schedule an appointment at 617-698-8004 . Our lawyers offer complimentary consultations.
FAQs
A solid estate plan protects your family as well as the assets that you accumulated while alive. An estate plan allows you to decide what happens to your assets. If you don’t have one in place, the Commonwealth’s laws of intestacy will decide. You want to give your family peace of mind, and having an estate plan will do that.Albanese Law, LLC , of Milton, Massachusetts, is an experienced legal firm that understands estate planning. Meeting with our attorneys can help clients create the right plan that will carry out their final wishes. Here, we have assembled a list of frequently asked questions.
Call Us Now For Guidance On Estate Planning
A solid estate plan can bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones. By having an estate plan in place, you have made the decision as to what will happen to your assets. You ultimately are protecting not only your estate, but also your family.
With more than a decade of legal experience, Albanese Law, LLC , of Milton, Massachusetts, will guide you through the estate planning process. In fact we provide custom solutions based upon your specific needs and family dynamics.We serve the Boston area. For a complimentary initial consultation, call a lawyer at 617-698-8004 .
How To Contact Our Boston Estate Planning Law Firm
On the surface, estate planning seems like an overwhelming and challenging process. However, with the right legal help, it doesn’t have to be. If you wish to begin the estate planning process or have concerns regarding certain estate planning elements, the team at Albanese Law, LLC can help.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with experienced estate planning lawyer Matthew Albanese. We serve communities throughout the Boston metro area, eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Call to schedule an appointment at 866-591-4451.
